At least 44 soldiers from Niger’s Defence and Security Forces (FDS) have been killed in a deadly ambush by suspected jihadist fighters during a river patrol in the Dosso Region, near the country’s southern border with Benin. The attack occurred on Monday afternoon, May 26, around 3 p.m.
According to security officials, the ambush targeted a unit of 71 soldiers patrolling the River Niger near the town of Falmey. The area has seen rising militant activity in recent months, particularly from groups linked to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate operating across the Sahel.
Authorities say 44 soldiers were confirmed dead, including the unit commander, who is presumed killed. Several bodies are still missing and believed to have been swept away by the river. In total, 27 soldiers were rescued following the attack, many of them injured and currently receiving medical care.
This incident is one of the deadliest for Niger’s military in recent months and comes just two days after a similar assault in Eknewan, where 58 soldiers were killed. The back-to-back attacks have raised serious alarm about the worsening security situation in southern Niger, particularly in regions bordering Benin and Burkina Faso.
Security forces have launched a search-and-recovery operation in the Falmey area while reinforcing military presence across vulnerable points in the Dosso Region. Additional troops have been deployed to prevent further attacks and track down the attackers.
Though the Nigerien government has not yet released an official statement, sources in Niamey say high-level security meetings are underway to review the recent surge in attacks and revise the country’s counterterrorism strategy.
The Sahel region continues to face growing threats from armed jihadist groups who frequently target security forces and civilians. Despite international support and regional military cooperation, countries like Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso remain under constant pressure from extremist violence.
The deaths of the 44 soldiers mark a tragic loss for Niger’s armed forces and underline the urgent need for improved intelligence, better equipment, and stronger regional cooperation in the fight against terrorism. As the nation mourns, many fear that without swift action, such deadly incidents could become even more frequent.
