Terrorists kill 44 worshippers in Niger mosque attack

DDM News

Militants linked to the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) carried out a brutal attack in western Niger.

Diaspora digital media (DDM) gathered that the attack took place last Friday in Kokorou village, located near Niger’s border with Mali in the Tillabéri region.

The targeted location was the Fambita Mosque, where worshippers had gathered for Friday prayers during the holy month of Ramadan.

The attackers reportedly surrounded the mosque while prayers were ongoing and opened fire on the innocent worshippers inside.

At least 44 people were killed on the spot, with many others critically wounded in the unprovoked assault.

Niger’s defense ministry confirmed the assailants were members of ISGS, an affiliate of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara.

Following the shooting, the militants set fire to nearby homes and the local market, intensifying the devastation in Kokorou.

Local residents described scenes of chaos as families screamed, fled, and tried to rescue those trapped inside burning buildings.

Approximately 20 injured individuals were rushed to nearby health centers for emergency medical treatment after the attack.

Eyewitnesses expressed horror, saying the attackers showed no mercy and fired at anyone trying to escape the mosque.

Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, swiftly condemned the brutal and calculated act of violence.

Türk called it a deliberate effort to cause mass civilian casualties during one of Islam’s most sacred periods.

He emphasized that such acts are grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.

He stated that places of worship must always be protected, especially during religious observances such as Ramadan.

Türk urged the Nigerien government to conduct a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation into the Kokorou mosque massacre.

He stressed the importance of ensuring justice for the victims and holding the perpetrators fully accountable.

Türk also appealed to international partners to support Niger in its fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

He highlighted the broader insecurity plaguing the Sahel region and the increasing boldness of extremist groups.

The attack in Kokorou reflects a disturbing pattern of escalating violence across the Sahel in recent years.

Experts trace the rise of extremist activity to the 2012 Tuareg rebellion in northern Mali.

That rebellion created a power vacuum that allowed armed jihadist groups to seize control of large territories.

Despite international intervention, those groups relocated to rural areas and launched cross-border operations.

They gradually expanded their presence into Niger, Burkina Faso, and other West African countries.

The Sahel now serves as a base for ISIL and al-Qaeda affiliates, who regularly target civilians and security forces.

Niger is currently fighting insurgencies on multiple fronts, facing threats from different extremist groups in the west and southeast.

While ISGS dominates the western front, Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorize the southeastern regions of Niger.

These groups destroy villages, ambush security patrols, abduct civilians, and disrupt daily life in countless communities.

Despite military operations, Nigerien forces remain stretched thin, particularly in remote border areas like Kokorou.

Insufficient equipment, manpower, and intelligence have hindered effective counterinsurgency efforts across the region.

Extremist groups exploit local grievances, poverty, and ethnic divisions to recruit and expand their operations.

Communities already suffering from poor infrastructure and services are now burdened with insecurity and fear.

The humanitarian impact has been enormous, with thousands displaced and livelihoods destroyed across multiple provinces.

The Kokorou mosque attack has deepened national grief and raised serious concerns about Niger’s overall security strategy.

Many human rights organizations are calling for urgent international attention to address the ongoing crisis in the Sahel.

They advocate for coordinated regional action, sustainable development efforts, and peacebuilding initiatives to curb extremism.

As Niger mourns the lives lost in Kokorou, global voices continue to demand justice, peace, and long-term security solutions.

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