NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Gunmen killed at the least two Indians and kidnapped a 3rd throughout an assault in Niger’s southwest Dosso area, in response to Indian authorities, the newest such violence focusing on foreigners in Niger’s conflict-battered territories.
The Indian Embassy in Niger stated in a press release on X on Friday that the assault occurred on Tuesday, and that it was in contact with native authorities to repatriate the our bodies of the victims and make sure the secure launch of the kidnapped particular person.
Native media in Niger recognized the victims as staff at a development web site in Dosso, situated 140 kilometers (87 miles) from the nation’s capital of Niamey.
Foreigners are more and more changing into targets of armed teams in Niger. A number of of them have been kidnapped this yr, together with an Austrian woman who has lived in Niger as an support employee for greater than 20 years, a Swiss girl seized from her home in April and 5 Indian staff, additionally in April.
Niger has for a few years battled a jihadi insurgency linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, a safety disaster that analysts say has worsened for the reason that navy toppled the country’s government in July 2023, and has since struggled to revive peace in scorching spots.
In keeping with the Armed Battle Location and Occasion Information Mission, June was one of many nation’s deadliest months on report as IS-backed fighters launched a significant offensive throughout the Tillaberi and Dosso areas, killing greater than 100 civilians in what marked a return to mass atrocities in rural areas.
