Jihadists Attack Mosque During Friday Prayer in Niger, Killing at Least 44 Civilians
In a brutal attack that has shocked the nation, Islamist militants killed at least 44 civilians and injured 13 others during an assault on a mosque in southwest Niger Republic on Friday. The attack occurred during afternoon prayers in the village of Fombita, located in the rural commune of Kokorou, near the tri-border region of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali—a hotspot for jihadist insurgency in West Africa linked to al Qaeda and the Islamic State.
Niger’s defence ministry confirmed the attack in a statement late Friday, attributing it to the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS), an affiliate of the Islamic State. According to the ministry, heavily armed militants surrounded the mosque, where worshippers had gathered for prayers during the holy month of Ramadan, and carried out a “massacre of rare cruelty.” The attackers then set fire to a nearby market and several houses before retreating.
Troops deployed to the scene reported a provisional death toll of 44 civilians, with 13 others severely injured. In response to the tragedy, the Nigerien government has declared three days of national mourning.
The tri-border region, often referred to as the epicentre of jihadist activity in West Africa, has seen a surge in violence in recent years. The insurgency, which began in 2012 when Islamist militants seized territory in northern Mali following a Tuareg rebellion, has since spread to Niger, Burkina Faso, and more recently, coastal West African nations such as Togo and Ghana. The conflict has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions, as militants continue to target towns, villages, military posts, and civilian gatherings.
The inability of governments in the region to restore security has contributed to political instability, including two coups in Mali, two in Burkina Faso, and one in Niger between 2020 and 2023. Despite regional and international pressure to return to democratic rule, all three countries remain under military control. In a significant shift, these nations have turned away from traditional Western allies and sought military support from Russia to combat the insurgency.
Friday’s attack underscores the escalating threat posed by jihadist groups in the Sahel region, particularly during religious and communal gatherings. The targeting of a mosque during Ramadan, a sacred period for Muslims, has drawn widespread condemnation and highlighted the militants’ disregard for human life and religious sanctity.
The international community has been urged to increase support for Niger and its neighbours in their fight against terrorism. However, the growing influence of external actors like Russia and the persistent instability in the region complicate efforts to achieve lasting peace and security.
As Niger mourns the victims of this horrific attack, questions remain about the effectiveness of current counter-terrorism strategies and the broader implications for regional stability. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for coordinated action to address the root causes of the insurgency and protect vulnerable communities from further violence.
