At least 71 killed, 20 injured in terror attack on mosque in Niger
1 Min Read
Unidentified gunmen opened fire on worshippers gathered in a mosque shortly after prayer, causing mass casualties.
-
Nigerien soldiers stand guard as supporters of Niger's National Council of Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) protest outside the Niger and French airbase in Niamey, on August 30, 2023 (AFP)
At least 71 people were killed and 20 others injured in a terrorist attack on a village in Niger’s Tillaberi region, local media reported.
The assault occurred in Manda village, where unidentified gunmen opened fire on worshippers gathered in a mosque courtyard shortly after prayers. The attackers caused mass casualties before fleeing the scene. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
This marks the second major mosque attack in the region this year. In March, 44 people were killed during a similar assault at a Friday prayer service in Fambita village.
Tillaberi, located near the "tri-border area" between Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, has been a hotspot for violence since 2017, with armed groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIS operating in the region.
As of now, Nigerien authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the incident.
