.Terrorists kill two, abduct others in Katsina
No fewer than six Nigerien soldiers and 10 terrorists were killed, on Sunday, in a fight with troops in the Taliberi West province of Niger Republic.
This was disclosed, yesterday, in Niamey, the Nigerien capital, in a statement read on television by the High Command of the National Guard.
According to the command, six soldiers, including head of the mission, were killed and another was injured in the fight with terrorists.
“Our soldiers were in five vehicles pursuing suspected jihadists when they were ambushed around 10a.m. GMT,” said the command.
It explained that the incident occurred about 20 kilometres from the town of Sanam, in the western part of the country.
According to the statement, the ambush was set up by suspected terrorists, who were driving a dozen motorcycles.
It continued: “Ten terrorists were killed during a mop up operation by air and ground reinforcements,” adding that four of the attackers’ motorcycles were destroyed.
Sanam community is in the Taliberi region, in the ‘three borders zone’ between Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, the scene of numerous jihadist attacks.
Head of the military regime, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, who overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum on July 26, 2023, justified the coup with security deterioration in the country, undermined by the violence of jihadist groups.
Also, terrorists riding on motorcycles and wielding automatic weapons, about 8.00p.m., on Sunday, killed two persons and abducted unspecified number at Dandume Local Council of Katsina State.
A man and a woman were killed, while women and children were abducted and moved into the forest.
The expansive forest reserve in the area seems to be an attraction for kidnappers. Most times, terrorists reportedly use the forest reserve as hideout, from where they plan their nefarious activities.
A resident, who simply gave his name as Aminu, said many of the residents were living in fear following the incident.
He added that such attacks were common, especially during the rainy season, even as he called on government and security operatives to come to their aid.
Spokesperson for the police command in the state, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, promised to revert when details of the incident are available.
