Rebel attack in West Niger kills 16 soldiers

NIAMEY: MONDAY, MAY 3, 2021 – At least 16 soldiers have been killed in an attack by armed rebels in the West African country of Tillia in Niger. The army said six other soldiers, led by Captain Maman Namewa, were wounded in the attack. The rebels are said to have planted landmines on the army.

Ibrahim Miko, the region’s secretary general, said he was outraged that the militants had detonated a landmine after failing to confront the army directly. Insurgents are constantly attacking peace, security and development in the vast lands of the Sahel-Sahara region. Boko Haram, active in neighboring Chad, and jihadists in northern Mali have targeted Nigerian forces in the region.

On March 21, at least 137 people were killed when unidentified gunmen attacked various locations in the western Nigerian town of Tahou. – RSS / XINHUA