At least 36 Nigerien soldiers have been killed following a large-scale attack by suspected jihadist fighters on Makalondi, a border town between Niger and Burkina Faso, security sources have confirmed.
The assault, reportedly carried out by militants linked to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), occurred at about 6:30 p.m. on February 4 in Niger’s Tillabéri region.
The attackers are said to have overwhelmed a military position, resulting in significant casualties and leaving several other soldiers injured, some critically.
Sources said the assailants carted away at least 12 military vehicles mounted with heavy machine guns, along with weapons, ammunition and other equipment.
One of the vehicles was later discovered destroyed a few kilometres from the scene.
Following the attack, Niger’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Salifou Mody Barmou, visited Makalondi on February 5 to assess the situation and the extent of the losses.
In a separate incident, suspected Islamic State Sahel (ISWAP) fighters attacked a Customs post in Kouré town, Dosso Region, around 2:00 a.m. on February 6.
One Customs lieutenant and a Forest Service sergeant were reported missing, while two Customs informants were killed.
A vehicle was burnt, another seized, and several motorcycles destroyed during the raid.
Elsewhere in the region, JNIM fighters launched coordinated attacks on Dozo militia positions in parts of Mali, including Nayo in Ségou Region and Bandiagara in Mopti Region, between January 29 and February 3, reportedly causing heavy casualties among the pro-government groups.
Reports indicated the Dozo militias had earlier sought assistance from the Malian Armed Forces but received no timely support.
The renewed violence comes amid escalating insecurity across the Sahel, where JNIM has increased operations, blockading key supply routes and targeting communities seen as aligned with the government.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, has announced plans to strengthen joint military operations to counter the growing terrorist threat, as international partners continue to raise concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the region.
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