Niger declares three days of mourning for victims of Tela attack

Niger authorities declared three days of national mourning starting on Wednesday, June 26, in memory of the 21 people killed in a terrorist attack in the Tillaberite region the previous day. Flags were flown at half-mast across the country as a sign of respect and national unity.

The Ministry of Defence specifically noted that at about 10 hours on Tuesday, June 25, a unit of the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) was attacked while carrying out a control mission near the village of Tasiya, south of Banjo. The attack killed 21 people, including a civilian, and injured 9 others. Despite these losses, the FDS managed to neutralize dozens of attackers and destroyed their vehicles, thus demonstrating their determination and courage in the face of adversity.

Ground and air reinforcements were deployed to pursue the remaining attackers and secure the area. The Minister of Defence, on behalf of the President of the National Council for the Defence of the Fatherland, Brigadier General Abdoulaye Hamane Tiani, expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. This message of support highlights the resilience and solidarity of the people of Niger.

Boubacar Guédé (Nigerien expatriate)