At least ten Nigerien soldiers were killed and seven others wounded in a violent attack on Tuesday in the western part of the country, near the Burkina Faso border, the Nigerien army confirmed on Wednesday. The assault took place in the village of Petel Kole, an area that has seen rising militant activity in recent months.
According to the army’s operational report, a large group of armed assailants on motorcycles launched the attack, attempting to seize control of the military position. The attackers were repelled by the soldiers, and at least 26 of them were “neutralized” during the clash.
Alongside the Petel Kole assault, social media spread rumors of another attack in the village of Chatoumane, located in the same region. However, these reports were quickly dismissed by the military as “unfounded claims.”
Niger’s military leadership also responded to rumors suggesting a higher death toll, describing these as part of a “brainwashing campaign” aimed at undermining the morale of the troops and creating division within the country.
Niger has faced growing insecurity in recent months, with armed groups continuing to target the country. The violence has intensified over the past year, with more than 1,500 civilians and soldiers killed in militant attacks, according to the conflict monitoring group ACLED. This marks a sharp rise in casualties compared to the previous year, underscoring the escalating security challenges in the region.