Gunmen attack N’guel Kolo community in Niger Republic, burn market

 

By: Zagazola Makama 

 

Boko Haram has attacked N’guel Kolo, a community in the rural commune of Chetimari, Diffa region of Niger Republic, setting the local market ablaze.

 

The attack, which occurred late on Saturday at about 11:45 p.m., threw residents into panic as the assailants stormed the village, shooting sporadically before torching the market and several properties, local sources said.

 

During the raid, the vehicle belonging to the community’s Chief of Security (Banga) was also set on fire.

 

Although no casualties have been reported as of Sunday morning, witnesses said the material damage was extensive, with traders counting heavy losses.

 

The Diffa region, which borders Nigeria’s Borno and Yobe States, has been repeatedly targeted by fighters linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), who operate across the Lake Chad Basin.

 

Security forces have since been deployed to the area to assess the situation and prevent further attacks.

 

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