13 soldiers, civilian driver killed in ISGS ambush on Niger army convoy

At least 13 people, including 12 soldiers and a civilian driver, have been killed after suspected fighters of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) ambushed a Nigerien military convoy in the Tahoua Region of Niger.

Security sources said the attack occurred on March 11 along the Yaya–Tahoua road near Bagga village.

The convoy, made up of about 50 troops drawn from the 42nd Infantry Battalion (BIA) and the Rapid Security Brigade (BSR) in Tahoua, had reportedly been deployed as reinforcement after suspected ISGS militants sabotaged a pipeline in the area.

According to the sources, the troops were travelling in a convoy of seven vehicles when they were caught in a coordinated ambush by the insurgents.

Twelve members of the Defence and Security Forces were killed during the attack, while a civilian truck driver accompanying the convoy also lost his life.

One of the soldiers was said to have died after being evacuated to a hospital in Tahoua, while the officer leading the mission, a lieutenant, sustained serious injuries after being shot twice in the arm.

Seven other soldiers were reported missing at the time of filing the report, and several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

The incident has reportedly sparked concerns within the military over operational decisions and command responsibility.

Some personnel were said to have questioned the decision to deploy the convoy along a route frequently targeted by armed groups, who are known to sabotage pipelines as a tactic to lure security forces into ambushes.

There were also allegations circulating among troops regarding the management of operational allowances for personnel deployed on missions.

Niger’s military authorities have yet to release an official statement on the ambush or address the allegations surrounding the operation.