A violent attack near N’Guigmi in southeastern Niger has left a significant toll among the country’s military forces.
Attack targets garrison town in Diffa region
N’Guigmi, a key garrison city in the Diffa region, has become a focal point for jihadist violence since 2009. Bordering the Lake Chad basin—a vast wetland spanning Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger, and Chad—the area has seen an escalation in insurgent activity, with Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) establishing strongholds.
Casualties confirmed by local witnesses
On Friday morning, Boko Haram launched a surprise assault on a military outpost in the vicinity of N’Guigmi. A local resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, reported that around ten soldiers were killed in the raid. The attacker suffered casualties as well, the witness added.
Local residents took to social media to share updates, stating that ten military personnel and four National Guard members lost their lives in the violent clash.
Military response underway
In the aftermath of the attack, Nigerien forces launched sweeping counter-operations to hunt down the remaining attackers. The Nigerien Press Agency, the country’s official news outlet, confirmed the incident but did not provide an official death toll. A statement acknowledged that Nigerien troops had been targeted in an attack by Boko Haram near N’Guigmi.
