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After Tillabéri, Is Niamey the Next Target?
After Tillabéri, Is Niamey the Next Target?
By: Zagazola Makama
As the security situation deteriorates in the embattled Tillabéri region of western Niger, fears are mounting that the country’s capital, Niamey, could become the next objective in a carefully coordinated offensive by jihadist groups.
What began as isolated attacks by armed terrorist groups (GATs) has now evolved into a structured campaign of territorial encirclement and economic suffocation. Once a resilient region, Tillabéri is now encircled by extremists who operate with impunity. Key towns such as Wanzarbé, Bankilaré, Kokourou, Ayorou, Makalondi, and Tamou have reportedly fallen under effective blockade, with roads cut off, markets paralyzed, and residents living under de facto insurgent control.
This shift from random insurgency to a strategic offensive raises alarm bells about the potential for a broader assault on Niamey, the political and military nerve center of Niger.
Groups such as the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS/EIGS) and the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) have adopted deliberate tactics to isolate strategic zones, weaken state presence, and create power vacuums. Analysts suggest that this methodical advance is setting the stage for a possible assault on Niamey.
“Their objective is no longer just military it’s psychological and political,” says a Sahel-based security expert who spoke to Zagazola Makama on the condition of anonymity. “They want to collapse the state from the outer provinces inward, sowing fear, discrediting the armed forces, and projecting power.”
Amid this deteriorating situation, the Nigerien Army’s response has been notably muted. Despite mounting pressure from local communities, there has been little visible counter-offensive. Observers question why the military appears paralyzed while villages fall, trade routes close, and militants entrench themselves deeper.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, had previously pledged to deploy a joint 5,000 man force to confront the growing threat. However, weeks later, there is no visible deployment, and coordination appears fractured. Military insiders cite low morale, unclear command structures, and growing disillusionment with military leadership, which is perceived to prioritize political office over battlefield engagement. “The foot soldiers are angry, and many feel betrayed,” says a retired officer based in Niamey.
The humanitarian situation in Tillabéri is dire. With routes severed and aid agencies unable to reach besieged populations, tens of thousands are at risk of famine, displacement, and forced recruitment by insurgents. Local sources report that GATs now enforce their own laws, regulate movements, and impose taxes on farmers and traders. Residents fear that militant authority is becoming normalized in areas where the state is absent.
While no confirmed attacks have occurred within Niamey itself, the encirclement of western regions has significant strategic implications. The capital, though heavily guarded, relies on surrounding areas for food, fuel, and supply chains. Recent incidents, including the invasion, looting, and burning of structures in the suburbs of Makalondi by JNIM fighters on April 7, 2025, illustrate the escalating threat. Following this attack, locals fled the village in fear, attempting to migrate towards Torodi City. However, they faced blockades from security personnel, who cited security reasons for preventing their exit. This has led to frustration among residents, who accuse the government of failing to protect them during the attack.
The humanitarian crisis in Niger is alarming, exacerbated by the government’s inability to develop concrete confidence-building measures to encourage local populations to remain in their communities. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has also withdrawn its support, further complicating the humanitarian landscape.
Projected Outcomes and Regional Implications
As the situation unfolds, the potential for an influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) into neighboring countries looms large. The continuous pressure from JNIM and ISGS could lead to further territorial gains within the Sahel, prompting increased protests against the government that could escalate into civil unrest or even civil war if not addressed.
Niger should consider providing humanitarian aid to victims, particularly as IDPs or refugee camps emerge across borders with Benin Republic and Nigeria. Collaborative efforts with neighboring countries to develop strategic counter-terrorism operations are essential to address the rising extremist threats. Activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force could enhance regional security measures. Moreover, Niger must intensify border security to manage the influx of refugees and curb the expansion of criminal activities across the northwest, northeast, and southwest regions of the country. Strengthening dialogue with the AES to enhance economic and security measures will be crucial in responding to the evolving threats in the Sahel.
In conclusion, as the situation in Tillabéri deteriorates, the specter of Niamey becoming the next target in this escalating conflict is increasingly plausible. The need for a coordinated and effective response from both national and regional actors has never been more urgent.
Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region.
After Tillabéri, Is Niamey the Next Target?
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Nigeria: Again, troops killed 10 terrorists in Borno
Nigeria: Again, troops killed 10 terrorists in Borno
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI in another encounter along Gamboru-Dikwa-Marte neutralized 10 additional insurgents and secured weapons and equipment in Borno State, northeast Nigeria.
NEWSng reports that in a precision night operation, troops of Sector 1 from 24 Task Force Brigade Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) successfully defeated a terrorist attempt to infiltrate into Gamboru Ngala from the Flatari axis. The miscreants subsequently diverted towards Dikwa after suffering casualties but were again ambushed, and scores were neutralized on the Dikwa-Marte road.
At approximately 23:50 hours on 25 October 2025, while manning a pre-established ambush position, the troops identified and engaged the hostile elements. The unit delivered heavy and accurate suppressive fire, forcing the insurgents to retreat in disarray.
At first light, following a period of limited visibility, the area was systematically exploited. The subsequent clearance operation confirmed a total of 10 insurgents had been neutralized. A thorough search of the vicinity led to the recovery of a significant cache of arms, ammunition, and equipment.
Lt. Col. Uba Sani, the media and information officer for Operation HadinKai, said that recovered items include:
· Firearms: 5 x AK-47 rifles, one PKT machine gun, 3 x locally-made (Dane) guns, 2 x fabricated pistols.
· Ammunition: 5 x AK-47 magazines loaded with 7.62 mm special rounds, a huge cache of 7.62 x 54 mm linked ammunition, and boxes of cartridges.
· Equipment: 2 x motorcycles, 2 x bicycles, 1 x radio.
· Personal Effects: 1 x Dane gun barrel, 1 x water flask, 1 x raincoat, 1 x blanket, and assorted charms.
The Military High Command commended the troops for their gallantry, vigilance, and tactical proficiency during the operation. The success of the ambush underscores the effectiveness of ongoing counter-insurgency efforts and reaffirms the commitment of OPHK to sustaining offensive actions, protecting civilians, and restoring lasting peace and stability in the Northeastregion.
End
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19 kidnapped victims regain freedom in Katsina under peace deal
19 kidnapped victims regain freedom in Katsina under peace deal
By: Zagazola Makama
Nineteen persons abducted by bandits in Katsina State have regained their freedom following the ongoing peace accord under the Operation Safe Corridor Initiative.
The victims, comprising men and women from Sabuwa and Funtua Local Government Areas, were released on Thursday morning at Innono Jigo Village in Sabuwa LGA as part of reconciliation efforts with repentant bandits.
They include Safaratu Basiru, 27, Jamila Auwalu, 22, and 17 others who had been held in captivity for several weeks.
Local officials and community leaders received the freed victims and conveyed them to Haske Private Health Centre, Sabuwa, for medical examination before reuniting them with their families.
Authorities in the area said the situation was being closely monitored as part of sustained efforts to consolidate peace and stability in the state.
19 kidnapped victims regain freedom in Katsina under peace deal
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Gov. Uba Sani Says No Citizens Should be Pushed into Poverty Seeking Essential Medical Care
Gov. Uba Sani Says No Citizens Should be Pushed into Poverty Seeking Essential Medical Care
…Pate Calls for National Consensus on Prioritizing Health Care
By: Michael Mike
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani has advocated for access to affordable medical care for all Nigerians, insisting that no citizens should be pushed into poverty for seeking essential medical care.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Ali Pate also called for national consensus on prioritizing healthcare system in the country.
Speaking at a High-Level Health Media Dialogue with Media Executives in Nigeria with theme: “Escalating Executive and Media Action for Health Accountability and Financing,” on Thursday in Abuja, Kaduna State governor said: “We believe no Nigerian family should be pushed into poverty by seeking essential medical care. Here, equity is not rhetoric for us. It is a principle of governance and justice…”

Sani, while noting that health facilities have been elevated in all parts of Kaduna state, said these landmark facilities significantly reduces the need for medical tourism, lessening the financial and emotional burdens in families.
He noted that emergency care is given priority, said: “We have launched the Kaduna State Emergency Medical Services ambulance system,” which has ensured that countless lives ensuring that urgent intervention reach patient within critical calling hour.
He added that: “Our consensus, as of today in Kaduna, the government has made it free for every emergency case in the first 24 or 48 hours without paying a penny, every patient will be treated free the first 48 hours in Kaduna,”
On his part, Pate said the issue of health affordability is universal and Nigerians need to know that the federal government is working on this.
He said: “There is real pain of affordability. Half of the world’s population doesn’t have access to basic healthcare services, not only in Nigeria, but we tend to self flagellate and not build a consensus to fix it, because it takes national consensus. It’s not a technical issue.
“Fixing health is not just a technical issue because we have had technical expertise for a very long time. It’s not also purely technocratic in terms of just having the right actors that know how to manage doing fundamentally, it’s a political choice that is reflective of political consensus within a country. It is when a country does not build a consensus on the prioritization of health or of education that it doesn’t allocate the resources or use the resources in that right way. And that goes beyond government.”
He noted that with the new tax reform has offered an opportunity for health to be adequately funded in the country.
Also speaking, the Country Director, Gates Foundation Nigeria Uche Amaonwu, said the health of our mothers, children and families, and by extension Nigeria’s human capital depends on what we do next for primary health care.
He assured that the Gates Foundation remains deeply committed to working alongside government and partners to ensure that every Nigerian family can rely on a strong, well financed primary healthcare system.
Earlier in her welcome speech, the Executive Director. International Society of Media in Public Health, Mrs. Moji Makanjuola reiterated the importance of budgeting adequately to health sector
She said “while we acknowledge the remarkable progress made, we must also confront — with courage and compassion — the realities reflected in our health indices.”
She said according to the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), Nigeria still records one of the highest maternal mortality ratios in the world at 512 deaths per 100,000 live births, and an under-five mortality rate of 102 deaths per 1,000 live births. These figures translate to approximately 82,000 Nigerian women dying annually due to pregnancy-related causes, and one in every ten Nigerian children dying before the age of five.
“These statistics are not meant to indict but to inspire — to spotlight the urgency for deeper reforms, more coordinated investments, and sustained accountability. They also highlight why our collective focus on strengthening PHC systems remains both timely and essential.
“Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) represent the bedrock of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) — the first and most critical point of contact for millions of Nigerians, especially those in rural and underserved communities. Yet, data from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) reveals that only 20% of the over 30,000 PHCs nationwide are fully functional.
“When PHCs work — maternal and child mortality declines, immunization coverage improves, productivity rises, and the cycle of poverty linked to ill health is broken. Our task, therefore, is not merely to acknowledge these challenges but to transform them into opportunities for lasting change.”
Gov. Uba Sani Says No Citizens Should be Pushed into Poverty Seeking Essential Medical Care
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