By: Zagazola Makama
Tafouka, a town in the Konni department of the Tahoua region in southern Niger, was the site of a deadly attack earlier today attributed to a group of armed individuals known as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), commonly referred to as Lakurawas in Nigeria.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the assailants gathered in the area for a meeting before launching their attack.
The attackers, traveling on multiple motorcyclesa favored mode of transport for such groups in the region dispersed into smaller units following their meeting. One group intercepted a civilian, a project worker, who was traveling by motorcycle. In a tragic turn of events, the civilian was executed on the spot, and their motorcycle was subsequently set ablaze.
In response to the attack, Niger’s Defense and Security Forces (FDS) deployed a reconnaissance vehicle with six personnel to the area. However, the vehicle fell victim to an ambush by the attackers, leading to the deaths of four soldiers and leaving two others critically injured. The vehicle was destroyed in the assault.
Confronted with significant risks, the FDS personnel stationed in Tafouka opted to retreat toward the town of Konni without engaging further with the attackers. The incident has disrupted travel in the region, prompting several buses and trucks to reverse their routes toward Konni for safety.
The Lakurawas continue to exploit the challenging terrain along the Niger-Nigeria border, with the Tahoua region experiencing a troubling increase in violent incidents involving such armed groups.
