Heavy military losses recorded in Niger as attacks claim 265 security personnel

By: Zagazola Makama

At least 265 members of Niger’s Defence and Security Forces (FDS), including senior officers, have reportedly been killed in a series of coordinated attacks across different parts of the country between June 17 and June 19.

According to security sources, one of the deadliest incidents occurred in Inates, where 101 soldiers were reported killed during an attack attributed to fighters of the Islamic State in the Sahel.

The sources said 52 of the victims had been buried in the Tillabéri Region, while 49 other soldiers who were initially declared missing had subsequently been presumed dead.

They added that 20 soldiers were reportedly taken captive during the attack.

The security sources further disclosed that the attacks formed part of a broader wave of violence that targeted several military positions across the country.

According to the sources, 107 soldiers were killed in Banibangou, while 24 others lost their lives in an attack in the capital, Niamey.

They also reported that 33 security personnel were killed in an attack on a military position in Madama, in northern Niger.

The cumulative death toll from the four attacks stands at 265 security personnel, making it one of the deadliest periods for Niger’s armed forces in recent years.

The attacks underscore the persistent security challenges facing Niger and other countries in the Sahel region, where armed groups linked to the Islamic State and al-Qaeda continue to intensify operations despite ongoing counterterrorism efforts.

As of the time of filing this report, Nigerien authorities had not issued an official statement confirming the casualty figures reported by the security sources.

The country has witnessed a surge in attacks against military.