Terrorism: Niger Republic To Re-Organize Military After ISIS killed Over 100 Locals

The Niger Republic’s government has announced plans to ramp up military presence in a region in which more than 100 civilians were killed in an attack by gunmen over the weekend.

This was disclosed shortly on Saturday after the commander of the Province Mamane Sani and Mali’s  Prime Minister Brigi Rafini visited the two communities affected by the attack.

“Niger aims to permanently set up a company in the affected province,” Sani said 

HumAngle reports that Some armed persons suspected to be Islamic State group members attacked two villages in Niger Republic and killed over 70 villagers.

Reuters Africa reported that the attacks were carried out in Tchombangou and Zaroumdareye communities simultaneously, villages near the border with Mali.

 Sani added that “no group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.” 

Terrorist groups that have pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda or the militant group, Islamic State (IS), are active in Niger and other countries in the region.

The government has little control over the desert-like expanses outside the cities, a fact exploited by both jihadist groups and criminal networks.

Niger is one of the most important transit countries for African migrants, who want to reach Europe via the Mediterranean.

Together with Mali, Mauritania, Chad and Burkina Faso, Niger is part of the G5 Sahel group that has pledged to fight terrorist groups.

Bordered by Nigeria to the south, Niger has also suffered attacks from Boko Haram insurgency.

HumAngle had reported that over 70,000 Nigerians mostly from border communities with Nigeria have fled to Maradi in Niger Republic after the communities suffered frequent attacks from terrorists along Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto border communities.