Twelve Nigerien soldiers lost their lives following a terrorist ambush in the Tillabéry region, where attackers, hidden among civilian camps, launched a surprise assault on a military patrol. The soldiers fought back fiercely until reinforcements arrived by air and land, forcing the attackers to flee north.
A large-scale pursuit operation was immediately initiated, deploying significant ground and air resources to track the assailants.
During the search, two suspects were arrested while attempting to hide on a hilltop and were handed over to the authorities for investigation.
The government expressed condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and commended the defense and security forces for their courage, professionalism, and patriotism in confronting a lawless enemy.
Niger, like its neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso, continues to battle a persistent jihadist insurgency that has destabilized the region for several years.
