March 23, 2025 | 07:56 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - At least 44 people were killed and 13 others injured in an 'intentional attack on civilians' at a mosque on Friday in southwestern Niger. This was revealed by Niger's Interior Minister Mohamed Toumba on government television on Saturday, March 22, 2025, as reported by Anadolu.
The attack in the village of Fonbita in the rural commune of Kokorou occurred when militants identified as members of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) stormed a mosque, targeting worshipers.
The attack took place in the late afternoon as people were attending congregational prayers at the mosque, the ministry's statement said.
'Armed terrorists surrounded the mosque to carry out their massacre with unusual cruelty,' he said, adding that the attackers also set fire to the local market and houses.
Toumba said the attack left four of the 13 injured in critical condition. The local government condemned the attack as 'cowardly and inhumane' and pledged to intensify efforts to combat terrorism in the region.
The Niger government announced a national mourning period of 72 hours starting on Saturday to honor the victims. Flags will be flown at half-mast across the country, and public events are expected to be suspended as the nation mourns.
The southwestern region of Niger, especially the area near the border with Mali and Burkina Faso, has experienced a surge in violence in recent years. Groups like ISGS have exploited the instability to carry out deadly attacks on villages and security forces.
The attack highlights the security challenges facing the Sahel region, despite efforts by the government and international partners to curb the insurgency.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, although the Interior Ministry's attribution to ISGS aligns with the group's known presence in the area.
Authorities have promised a thorough investigation and a strong response to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The latest killings add to the mounting civilian casualties in Niger, where the population remains vulnerable to the ongoing threat of extremist violence.
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