At least 14 Nigerien soldiers have lost their lives and several more have been injured this Friday in a direct clash between the Niger Army and the jihadist group Boko Haram in the Diffa region, located in the southeast of the country, in the border strip with Nigeria.
According to local authorities, cited by the media Actuniger, the security forces initially managed to repel the offensive, but during the pursuit following the first contact, the insurgents organized an "ambush" against the soldiers. So far, no balance has been provided on the casualties among the attackers.
The governor of Diffa, Major General Mahamadou Ibrahim Bagadoma, accompanied by a large delegation from the Defense and Security Forces (FDS), attended the funeral ceremony in honor of the fallen soldiers during the confrontation.
"Despite the sacrifices made, the security forces remain fully mobilized to defend the integrity of the national territory, protect the civilian population, and preserve peace and stability. Their daily commitment, often at the cost of their lives, demonstrates their adherence to the values of patriotism, honor, and loyalty to their oath to defend the Nation," described the governor.
The Diffa region, in the southeastern tip of Niger, has been suffering since 2015 from a constant deterioration of the security situation due to the multiplication of attacks by Boko Haram and its offshoots, including the Central African branch of the Islamic State (ISWAP), which is very active in the Lake Chad basin. In response to the recurring offensives of these armed groups, the Defense and Security Forces have reinforced and intensified their operations in the area.