Suspected extremist gunmen have shot and killed at least 25 people in Niger.
Highlights
- Buildings were vandalized in an attack earlier this week near the village of Bakorat in Niger.
- Analysts say no group has claimed responsibility for this week’s violence.
- Islamic State-linked terrorists have been blamed for attacks on civilians this year.
Niamey (Niger): Suspected extremist gunmen have shot and killed at least 25 people in Niger. Giving information about this on Wednesday, the country’s Interior Minister Alcache Alhad said in a statement that buildings were vandalized and burnt in the attack earlier this week near the village of Bakorat. The government termed the attack as cowardly and said that security arrangements are being strengthened in the area.
This is the latest violence by extremists linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group in the West African country bordering Mali. Islamic extremists killed 69 people in western Niger earlier this month, and gunmen killed 137 in March. Analysts say no group has claimed responsibility for this week’s violence, but al-Qaeda has been active in this part of Niger for several years.
According to reports, local self-defense groups are helping the Niger army in its fight against the extremists. Attacks on civilians have intensified this year and have been blamed on Islamic State-linked militants. The violence has increased pressure on Niger’s President Mohamed Bajoum, who was sworn in in April after security forces thwarted a military coup the day before.
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