2 hours ago 1

Gunmen kill 22 after shooting at baptism ceremony in Niger - reports

Basillioh Rukanga -

Wed, September 17, 2025 at 9:20 AM UTC

2 min read

Niger's army has been struggling to contain the jihadist insurgency (file photo) [AFP via Getty Images]

Gunmen on motorbikes have shot dead 22 people, most of them attending a baptism ceremony, in an attack on a village in western Niger, reports say.

A resident told the French news agency AFP that 15 people were killed at the ceremony in Tillaberi region, which borders Mali and Burkina Faso, before moving elsewhere and killing seven others.

"While people celebrated a baptism ceremony, gunmen opened fire, sowing death and terror," local civil rights activist Maikoul Zodi said on social media.

Niger's military government has struggled to contain jihadist violence in the region, carried out by groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State.

The AFP news agency also cited local media outlet Elmaestro TV as reporting a "gruesome death toll of 22 innocent people cowardly killed without reason or justification".

Last week, Human Rights Watch said jihadist groups had increased attacks in the country since March, summarily killing over 127 villagers and Muslim worshippers.

Dozens of homes have been looted and burned over the same period, it said.

The rights group also said that authorities had not adequately responded to warnings of attacks and had ignored calls for help by villagers.

On Tuesday, Mr Zodi questioned why civilians were still being exposed to such insecurity, and urged the government to prioritise the safety and dignity of citizens.

"It is time for concrete answers, strengthen state presence in vulnerable areas, and show that every Nigerien life matters," he posted on Facebook.

Niger has been under military control since 2023 when Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani deposed the country's elected President, Mohamed Bazoum.

Its neighbours Burkina Faso and Mali, battling the same jihadist insurgency, are also ruled by military leaders but have similarly struggled to contain the problem.

The three have expelled French and US forces that were previously heavily involved in the fight against jihadists that operate across the Sahel region.

Besides scaling back their ties with the West, they have since formed an alliance to fight the jihadist threat, turning to Russia and Turkey for their security needs. However, the violence has continued.