By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Jihadist fighters |
Jihadist figters have overrun a gendarmerie camp in western Niger, killing at least 21 officers in a brutal early morning assault. The attack on the Garbougna camp highlights the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Sahel region.
According to security sources, a large number of insurgents believed to be affiliated with Sahel-based extremist groups stormed the facility on Friday. The attackers overwhelmed the security personnel, seizing control of the camp and making off with a significant cache of military hardware, including several vehicles and a large quantity of arms and ammunition.
"The situation is dire," one security source confirmed. "The Garbougna gendarmerie post was overrun, and dozens of weapons and vehicles were taken. The number of casualties is still being compiled, but more than 21 gendarmes are feared killed."
This deadly raid underscores the escalating threat posed by jihadist groups linked to both al-Qaida and the Islamic State in Niger. These groups have increasingly focused their efforts on coordinated assaults against military and security formations, stretching the nation's defensive capabilities.
At the time of reporting, Niger’s military authorities had not yet issued an official statement on the incident. The attack serves as a grim reminder of the intense jihadist activity plaguing the tri-border region of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, where security forces are frequently targeted in ambushes and raids.