An admission has been made on April 23 by the Government of Benin that 54 soldiers lost their lives in a recent assault by jihadist militants in the country’s northern region, near the borders with Burkina Faso and Niger.
The revised death toll, acknowledged by officials days after the incident, marks the deadliest attack suffered by Benin’s armed Forces since insurgent activity began escalating in the area.
The assault, which targeted two military outposts, has been attributed to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-affiliated group originally based in Mali. Although initial reports suggested a smaller number of casualties, the magnitude of the attack was later confirmed following further investigation. The group, through its own channels, claimed responsibility and reported even higher figures, citing the deaths of 70 soldiers—though this remains unverified by authorities.
Expressions of national mourning and defiance have followed the announcement, with presidential and government spokespeople vowing continued resistance. The attack highlights the growing reach of jihadist factions beyond the Sahel, as both Benin and Togo face increasing threats from groups tied to al-Qaeda and Islamic State. Despite the losses, Benin’s leadership has pledged that the fight against extremist violence will persist, and ultimate victory will be pursued without surrender.