The attacks in the village of Fonvita in the country commune of Kokorou came when extremists identified as members of the Islamic State of the Greater Sahara (ISGS) targeted worshippers and attacked the mosque.
Toumba said four of the 13 people who were injured in serious condition were left in the attack. The ministry has condemned the attack as “co-diseased and inhumane conduct” and vowed to step up efforts to combat regional terrorism.
The Nigerian government has declared a 72-hour national mourning that begins Saturday to honor the victims. The flag will fly on half-masts across the country, and public events are expected to be curbed as the public is sad.
In the southwest region of Niger, particularly near the border between Mali and Burkina Faso, groups like the ISG have recently been exploiting instability to carry out fatal raids on villages and security forces. The attacks highlight the security challenges facing the Sahel state despite efforts by governments and international partners to curb the rebellion.
The Ministry of Home Affairs’ attributes to the ISG are lined up for known presence in the region, but no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Authorities have pledged to conduct thorough investigations and robust responses to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The latest killings add to the rise in civilian casualties in Niger. There, communities remain vulnerable to the persistent threat of extremist violence.
MNA