Tillaberi, Niger – September 17, 2025: In a horrific attack, gunmen on motorbikes gunned down 22 villagers in Niger’s Tillaberi region on Monday, targeting a baptism ceremony in Takoubatt village, near Burkina Faso and Mali, according to local media and sources.
A resident, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, told AFP that the assailants killed 15 people at the ceremony before murdering seven others on the village outskirts. Elmaestro TV called the attack a “gruesome” act, lamenting the loss of 22 lives “cowardly killed without reason.
”Tillaberi, a hotspot for jihadist groups tied to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, remains under siege despite a strong military presence. Nigerien human rights advocate Maikoul Zodi condemned the “barbarism” on social media, highlighting the despair of affected families.
The attack follows the killing of approximately 20 soldiers in the region last week. Human Rights Watch has pressed Niger’s authorities to enhance civilian safety, noting over 127 executions by the Islamic State in Tillaberi since March. ACLED reports 1,800 deaths in Niger attacks since October 2024, with most occurring in Tillaberi.
Niger’s military rulers, who seized power in a 2023 coup, struggle to contain the jihadist threat after expelling foreign forces aiding counterterrorism efforts
.Source: AFP
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