Dozens of civilians have been killed in Niger after suspected insurgents attacked Muslim worshippers en route to Friday prayers in the village of Manda, near the borders with Burkina Faso and Mali. According to local sources speaking to AFP on Monday, June 23, the death toll is believed to be in the dozens, although precise figures await official confirmation. A security source from neighbouring Nigeria reported that at least 71 people were killed, attributing the attack to militants linked to the Islamic State.
This deadly assault underscores the persistent insecurity gripping Niger and its Sahelian neighbours, Mali and Burkina Faso—countries plagued by jihadist violence, lawlessness, and intercommunal conflict. All three nations are currently governed by military juntas following recent coups, with leaders promising to restore stability and confront the entrenched insurgencies. The attack highlights the ongoing challenge these transitional governments face in securing their territories and protecting civilian lives.