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Beninese Military Faces Significant Losses in Border Assault

Published by Tope Fakinlede on January 10th, 2025.

Beninese Military Faces Significant Losses in Border Assault

In recent years, the northern region of Benin has seen an uptick in jihadist attacks.

Benin’s military has experienced substantial casualties in a recent assault near its border with Niger and Burkina Faso, regions plagued by insurgencies, according to official sources.

Colonel Faizou Gomina, the Chief of Staff of the National Guard, confirmed that one of the country’s most fortified military outposts was struck on Wednesday evening in the northern part of Benin.

“We have suffered a severe setback,” Col. Gomina remarked.

While the perpetrators remain unidentified, the northern region has been increasingly targeted by militant groups from neighboring nations, leading to a rise in violent incidents.

Between 2021 and December 2024, over 120 Beninese soldiers were reported killed, as per a diplomatic source speaking to AFP.

In December, three soldiers were killed, and four others injured in an ambush while guarding an oil pipeline in the northeast.

Though Col. Gomina did not provide specific numbers on the latest attack, opposition party The Democrats claimed approximately 30 soldiers lost their lives in the Alibori region, as reported by Reuters. Other sources suggested the toll could be around 28.

“We are carrying out operations to secure the area. So far, 40 attackers have been neutralized,” a military source revealed.

Col. Gomina emphasized that the targeted position was one of the most fortified in the region and urged military leaders to enhance their tactical responses to emerging security challenges.

“Officers and section chiefs, it’s time to step up. We have battles ahead of us,” he said.

In 2022, Benin deployed close to 3,000 troops to strengthen security in the northern region and combat cross-border attacks.