Dialogos

New Civilian Massacre in Niger: At Least 31 Dead in Jihadist Attack

Published January 21, 2026, 07:06
New Civilian Massacre in Niger: At Least 31 Dead in Jihadist Attack

At least 31 civilians were killed in a jihadist attack in western Niger, near the border with Burkina Faso and Mali. The attack took place in the village of Bossigé, in the “tri-border” area, where organizations such as the UIMA (linked to Al-Qaeda) and others pledging allegiance to the Islamic State are active. The Tillabéri region, where the attack occurred, has been described as the deadliest area in the central Sahel, with over 1,200 deaths in 2025, mostly civilians. Attacks have increased dramatically in recent years, causing a major humanitarian crisis. According to testimonies, the armed men killed farmers in fields, and one of the five injured died from his wounds in a health center. Local authorities and human rights organizations condemn the attack and express shock and grief over the loss of life. Niger is simultaneously facing attacks from Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) in its southeastern part. The situation is worsened by the fact that the country is governed by a military junta, which has removed French and US troops and has approached Russia. The increase in violence has led to approximately 2,000 deaths in Niger in 2025.