Two Indian nationals were killed and another abducted in a terror attack in Niger’s Dosso region on July 15, the Indian Embassy in Niamey confirmed. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of Indian citizens in the West African nation amid escalating violence and political instability.
In an official statement posted on X, the Indian Embassy expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and said it is working closely with local authorities to repatriate the mortal remains and secure the safe release of the abducted individual. The mission has also issued a warning, urging all Indian nationals in Niger to remain vigilant.
According to Arab News, unidentified armed militants ambushed a Nigerien army unit providing security at a power line construction site about 100 km from Niamey, the capital. The attackers reportedly exploited the sparse security presence in the region — a growing pattern in Niger’s vulnerable borderlands.
This latest incident follows a series of terror attacks in Niger. Notably, in March 2024, an assault in Kokorou by the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara killed at least 44 civilians and left 13 severely wounded, according to the UN Security Council.
The Security Council had then condemned such attacks “in the strongest terms” and emphasized that all perpetrators and sponsors of terrorism must be held accountable. It also reiterated the global obligation under international law to assist Niger in combating terrorism.
Niger remains one of the most terror-affected countries in the Sahel, with terror groups exploiting weak governance, porous borders, and widespread poverty. According to the US State Department’s 2023 Country Report on Terrorism, Niger’s anti-terrorism efforts are severely hampered by an under-resourced military, poor coordination, and instability in neighboring regions such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Libya, and Nigeria.
The country is also grappling with political turmoil after a military coup in July 2023 ousted the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum. The coup, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, was the seventh such power grab in West and Central Africa since 2020, deepening fears of democratic backsliding across the region.
As security conditions worsen, Indian authorities are closely monitoring the situation and working to ensure the safety of their citizens in Niger.
