Crime

Gunmen Kill 22 in Brutal Attack During Baptism Ceremony in Niger

Published by admin on September 17th, 2025.

Gunmen Kill 22 in Brutal Attack During Baptism Ceremony in Niger

At least 22 people have been killed in a deadly assault on a village in western Niger, with most of the victims attending a baptism ceremony, according to local sources.

Armed men on motorbikes stormed the village in the Tillabéri region—an area near the borders of Mali and Burkina Faso—and opened fire on civilians. A resident told AFP that 15 people were gunned down at the baptism, and the attackers later moved on to kill seven more individuals in nearby areas.

Civil society activist Maikoul Zodi condemned the attack on social media, describing the horrifying moment as gunmen “sowing death and terror” in the midst of a joyful gathering.

Niger’s transitional military government continues to face mounting challenges in curbing jihadist violence, particularly from militants aligned with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. While officials have acknowledged an attack occurred in the region, they have not released official casualty figures.

Local news outlet Elmaestro TV reported a “gruesome death toll of 22 innocent lives,” emphasizing the senseless nature of the killings.

The rights group Human Rights Watch recently raised alarms over the rising wave of violence in Niger. In a report last week, they stated that extremist groups have intensified attacks since March, resulting in over 127 civilian deaths. Entire villages have also suffered looting and arson during the same period. The organization criticized Nigerien authorities for failing to act on early warnings and neglecting pleas for help from affected communities.

Just days before the baptism massacre, 14 soldiers were killed in an ambush in the same Tillabéri region. According to a military statement, troops had been responding to a report of livestock theft when they were caught in a deadly trap.

Due to limited access and fears of retaliation, accurate casualty numbers are often hard to confirm independently.

In a recent Facebook post, Maikoul Zodi called on the government to do more to protect civilians, urging leaders to reinforce state presence in high-risk areas. “The safety and dignity of every Nigerien must be a priority,” he wrote.

Since a military coup in 2023 led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani ousted President Mohamed Bazoum, Niger has been under military rule. Like its neighbors Burkina Faso and Mali—also governed by military juntas—the country has struggled to contain the persistent insurgency.

The three nations have cut ties with Western military partners such as France and the U.S., opting instead to form a regional security alliance and seek support from countries like Russia and Turkey. Despite these efforts, violent attacks remain a pressing and unresolved threat.