Armed Bandits Kill 16 in Deadly Attacks in Niger

Although the identity of the assailants remains unknown, the attacks bear similarities to the wave of jihadist raids that have plagued the central Sahel region in recent months.

State radio reported on Wednesday that the first assault occurred between February 22 and 23, when the attackers gathered villagers from Dioundiou, opening fire and killing 14 people in cold blood.

Just two days later, another attack in a nearby town left two more dead, further escalating fears of increasing insecurity in the region.

The Dioundiou area, which borders Nigeria and Benin, has become a hotspot for jihadist groups, as indicated by Niger’s authorities. The region is strategically important, crossed by a vital 2,000-kilometer (around 1,200-mile) pipeline that transports Niger's oil to Benin, heightening its vulnerability to such raids.

Local officials have expressed growing concerns about the presence of armed groups in this area, which is crucial for regional energy infrastructure and security.