Insecurity is steadily encroaching upon the Nigerien capital, Niamey. On 26 June 2026, the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (JNIM) released a video in the Zarma language. In it, spokesperson Abdulmajid al-Ansari delivered a deeply alarming message to the city’s residents.
The group asserts that it does not target civilians. However, it accuses certain segments of the population of collaborating with the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) during the attack on Niamey’s airport on 18 June 2026. Based on this accusation, the movement explicitly threatens residents who venture near the capital’s outskirts. It claims the ability to strike targets inside Niamey itself. The group also states that operations carried out so far are merely a prelude to what it describes as “far more significant” actions.
This statement marks a troubling evolution in the group’s communication strategy. By labeling civilians as suspected military supporters, JNIM fosters an ambiguity that heightens fear among the population. Even when an armed group asserts it does not target non-combatants, identifying them as potential collaborators significantly increases their vulnerability to violence and intimidation.
These remarks come amid a surge in attacks across Niger in recent years, despite shifts in security strategy and the reinforcement of military partnerships. They also illustrate jihadist groups’ intent to exert psychological pressure on communities, spreading messages designed to instill fear, erode trust in authorities, and restrict movement in certain areas.
Beyond their military implications, these threats serve as a tool of psychological warfare. They aim to create a permanent climate of insecurity, discourage any cooperation between citizens and security forces, and demonstrate that armed groups seek to extend their influence to the very gates of the capital. For the authorities, the challenge remains both security and informational: protecting the population while preventing the propaganda of armed groups from amplifying the very fear they intend to provoke.
