At least 22 villagers were killed when gunmen on motorbikes stormed a baptism ceremony in Niger’s troubled Tillaberi region, authorities and local sources confirmed.
The attack happened Monday in Takoubatt village, where assailants opened fire on worshippers, leaving 15 people dead at the scene before killing seven more on the village outskirts, a resident told AFP.
Local outlet Elmaestro TV described the incident as a “gruesome massacre of 22 innocent people,” while human rights activist Maikoul Zodi condemned it as another act of “barbarism” that has left families in despair.
Niger’s junta, which seized power two years ago, has struggled to curb escalating jihadist violence in the region, despite a strong military presence. Just last week, around 20 soldiers were ambushed and killed nearby.
Human Rights Watch urged authorities to step up civilian protection, noting that Islamic State-linked fighters have summarily executed more than 127 villagers in Tillaberi since March. Conflict data group ACLED also reported that nearly 1,800 people have been killed in attacks across Niger since October 2024, with Tillaberi accounting for most of the fatalities.
Niger, alongside neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, is now under military rule and has expelled French and American troops previously deployed to help fight insurgents.
