The Islamist group and al-Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM)
claimed an attack on a Nigerien army checkpoint just 10 kilometres from the capital Niamey. The
attack purportedly killed one soldier and resulted in JNIM seizing weaponry and military equipment.
This incident marks the closest jihadist attack to Niamey since the military coup in July 2023,
highlighting the growing threat posed by armed groups in the region and potentially a change in
strategy. The attack follows recent JNIM attacks in the regional capitals Ouagadougou and Bamako,
with militants likely attempting to destabilise the country and undermine junta governments by
attacking their centres of authority which are also used by international organisations to coordinate
humanitarian efforts.