Sixteen people, including nine of the attackers, were killed during clashes between armed groups and the Nigerien Armed Forces (FAN), near the Malian border north-east of Niamey, said a statement APA received Tuesday from the Niger Ministry of Defense (MoD).
According to the statement, the clashes occurred after the Nigerien army got information on 30 December about the presence on national territory of an armed group “from a neighboring country,” referring certainly to Mali.
“Troops of Niger’s Armed Forces based in Tillia were dispatched in Telemses, 95km north-west of Tahoua,” the statement added.
During their trip, the source said, FAN troops sent on the scene had been ambushed by the armed group that immediately fled towards Aguendo village near the border with Mali.
The MoD said that the chase by reinforcements resulted in a second clash on 1 January in the Elangay valley.
“The last elements of the armed groups are still being pursued,” APA learns.
The source added that the death toll to date is seven (5 soldiers, 1 policeman, 1 agent of the National Intervention and Security Forces), plus a civilian and nine of the assailants.
The attackers abandoned a four-wheel drive vehicle, weapons and ammunition.
Source African Press Agency
