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36 soldiers killed in coordinated jihadist attack in Niger
36 soldiers killed in coordinated jihadist attack in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
At least 36 Nigerien soldiers have been killed in a large-scale attack by jihadist fighters linked to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) on Makalondi, a border town between Niger and Burkina Faso, security sources have confirmed.
Zagazola report that the attack occurred on Feb. 4 at about 6:30 p.m. in the Tillabéri region of Niger. Preliminary reports indicate that the assailants overran a military position, killing at least 36 soldiers and injuring several others, some critically.
According to sources, the attackers seized at least 12 military vehicles mounted with heavy machine guns, along with weapons, ammunition and personal effects. One of the vehicles was later found destroyed a few kilometres from the scene.
In response to the scale of the attack, Niger’s Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Salifou Mody Barmou, visited Makalondi on Feb. 5 for an on-the-spot assessment, underscoring the gravity of the human and material losses.
In a related incident, suspected Islamic State Sahel/ISWAP terrorists on Feb. 6 at about 2:00 a.m. attacked a Customs post in Kouré town, Dosso Region, about 60 kilometres south of Niamey. Casualties included one Customs lieutenant and one Forest Service sergeant declared missing, while two Customs informants were killed.
Security sources said one Customs vehicle was burnt, another taken away, and several motorcycles destroyed during the attack.
Meanwhile, in neighbouring Mali, JNIM fighters also launched coordinated assaults on Dozo militia positions in Nayo (Ségou Region) and Bandiagara (Mopti Region) between Jan. 29 and Feb. 3, resulting in heavy casualties among the pro-government militias.
Reports indicated that the Dozo groups had earlier raised alarms that they were surrounded by terrorists and had requested intervention from the Malian Armed Forces (FAMa), but no timely response was provided.
JNIM has intensified operations across central Mali, blockading key supply routes to Bamako and laying siege to villages linked to Dozo groups, in what appears to be a strategy to weaken state authority and force political concessions.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) comprising Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso has since announced renewed efforts to combat terrorism through a joint military force, as international partners continue to express concern over the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel.
36 soldiers killed in coordinated jihadist attack in Niger
News
Troops arrest terrorist kingpin, ammunition courier, logistics supplier in Kaduna
Troops arrest terrorist kingpin, ammunition courier, logistics supplier in Kaduna
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Joint Task Force North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA (OPFY), have arrested a suspected terrorist kingpin, intercepted an ammunition courier and apprehended a suspected terrorist logistics supplier in separate intelligence-led operations across Kaduna State.
The operations, conducted on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, targeted terrorist hideouts, supply routes and support networks in Kubau, Igabi and Birnin Gwari Local Government Areas of the state.

In the early hours of the day, troops of Sector 1 conducted a clearance operation at Dabar Dabo, identified as a known terrorist hideout in Kubau LGA.
During the operation, the troops arrested a suspected terrorist kingpin and two other members of his syndicate at the hideout.
The three suspects were taken into military custody for further investigation and intelligence exploitation.
In a separate operation on the same day, troops of Sector 1, acting on credible intelligence concerning the movement of ammunition, arrested a 50-year-old woman suspected of serving as an ammunition courier in Igabi LGA.
The suspect was allegedly found in possession of 300 rounds of ammunition concealed inside a bag.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had travelled from Zamfara State to Lafia, where she allegedly received the ammunition for onward delivery to terrorist elements operating around Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State.

The suspect and recovered ammunition have been secured in military custody as investigations continue to establish her network and intended recipients.
Later the same day, troops of Sector 1, working with a community vigilante group, apprehended another suspected terrorist logistics supplier in Birnin Gwari LGA.
During preliminary interrogation and a search of the suspect, troops recovered four communication devices suspected to have been used in connection with terrorist activities.
The suspect and recovered devices were also taken into military custody for further investigation.
The series of operations highlights the growing focus of Operation FANSAN YAMMA on dismantling the support structures that sustain terrorist groups, including their command networks, ammunition couriers, communication channels and logistics suppliers.
The successful interception of the ammunition consignment also represents a significant disruption to the movement of military-grade supplies into terrorist operating areas in Kaduna State.
Operation FANSAN YAMMA has continued to intensify intelligence-led operations across the North-West to disrupt terrorist networks, deny criminal elements freedom of action and prevent the movement of arms, ammunition and other logistics across the Joint Operations Area.
The Joint Task Force has also acknowledged the support of members of the public and urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest security agency.
Troops arrest terrorist kingpin, ammunition courier, logistics supplier in Kaduna
News
U.S. Air Force C-17 delivers military equipment to Nigerian Air Force under FMS agreement
U.S. Air Force C-17 delivers military equipment to Nigerian Air Force under FMS agreement
By Zagazola Makama
A United States Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft has delivered military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force as part of an ongoing foreign military sales agreement between the two countries.
The development was announced on Thursday by the official X handle of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), which described the delivery as a demonstration of the growing security partnership between the United States and Nigeria.
AFRICOM said the equipment was delivered over the weekend and would support Nigeria’s efforts to counter terrorism and other security threats in the region.
“Partnership in action,” AFRICOM said, noting that the equipment formed part of a foreign military sales agreement designed to further the U.S.-Nigeria defence partnership.
The command said the delivery would aid Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts, particularly as the country continues to confront persistent threats from terrorist and insurgent groups.
The latest delivery comes amid increasing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, with both countries strengthening collaboration in intelligence, training, equipment and other areas aimed at improving Nigeria’s capacity to tackle terrorism.
The use of a U.S. Air Force C-17 for the delivery also underscores the logistical component of the bilateral defence relationship, enabling the movement of military equipment directly in support of Nigeria’s operational requirements.
Nigeria has continued to seek enhanced international partnerships as its armed forces sustain operations against terrorist and criminal networks across the North-East, North-West and other conflict-affected parts of the country.
AFRICOM’s announcement signals continued U.S. support for Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its military capabilities and confront terrorism, while reinforcing Washington’s broader security partnership with Abuja.
U.S. Air Force C-17 delivers military equipment to Nigerian Air Force under FMS agreement
News
Troops engage suspected local militias, soldier wounded during clearance operation in Plateau
Troops engage suspected local militias, soldier wounded during clearance operation in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 8, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), have engaged suspected local militia elements in a fierce firefight during a clearance operation at Kogul Village in Muko District, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The operation, conducted between Sept. 8 and 9, followed reports of arson, destruction of farmlands and the expulsion of residents from the community.
During the operation, the troops established contact with the suspected militias and engaged them in a fierce firefight, forcing the criminals to withdraw into the forest.
A soldier, Pte. Husseini Ibrahim, sustained a gunshot wound to his right leg during the encounter and was evacuated to General Hospital, Mangu, for medical attention.
Troops subsequently exploited the general area in an effort to locate and arrest the fleeing criminals and recover their weapons.
However, no further contact was established before the troops returned to base, while operations to track the fleeing suspects remain ongoing.
Troops engage suspected local militias, soldier wounded during clearance operation in Plateau
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