10 Nigerien soldiers, 10 suspected jihadists killed in gun battle

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

Following the ongoing coup in Niger Republic, it has been confirmed that six Niger Republic soldiers and 10 suspected jihadists were killed during a gun battle on Sunday, August 13.

According to information gathered, the suspected jihadists on motorbikes ambushed the Nigerien troops in Sanam, a region in Niger where attacks have been frequent.

Sanam, located in the country’s western region, is the Tillaberi tri-border area where Niger meets Mali and Burkina Faso.

A similar attack took place in the same region on Wednesday, August 9, the first since President Mohammed Bazoum was ousted by coup plotters.

The military junta on Sunday declared that it will prosecute President Bazoum for “high treason and undermining the internal and external security” of the country.