Suspected militants belonging to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) launched an attack on two primary schools and an Islamic medersa in Niger’s Tillabéri region, setting them ablaze and looting property.
The coordinated raid took place between the night of February 11 and 12, with the assailants targeting schools in the villages of Kobadié and Windé Silloubé. Before initiating the attack, the militants reportedly gathered in Kobadié village to perform Maghreb and Isha prayers, underscoring the ideological motivations behind the assault.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers ransacked classrooms and set fire to school materials, leaving behind a scene of destruction. The targeted institutions serve as vital educational hubs in the region, where insecurity has already disrupted access to learning for many children.
Kidnappings Along Key Transport Route
In a separate incident, two public transport drivers were abducted near Samira while traveling towards Niamey, the capital of Niger. Witnesses recounted that the attackers opened fire on passengers before forcibly taking the drivers and their vehicle to an unknown location.
Security forces have yet to release a statement regarding the incident, but the attack raises further concerns about JNIM’s growing operational reach in the region. The Tillabéri region, located in western Niger, has been a hotbed of terrorist activity, with groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS frequently launching attacks on civilians, security forces, and infrastructure.
A Pattern of Targeting Education
The attack on schools is part of a broader campaign by extremist groups to undermine formal education in the Sahel region. JNIM and other militant factions have repeatedly targeted schools, teachers, and students, arguing that Western-style education contradicts their ideology.
Over the years, Nigerien authorities have struggled to secure remote communities from such incursions. Despite the presence of international military forces and counterterrorism initiatives, militant groups continue to exploit weak governance, local grievances, and porous borders to expand their influence.
