Niamey, Niger — An apparent drone strike carried out by Niger’s military killed at least 17 civilians, including children, in western Niger in January, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has alleged.
In a statement released on Monday, the rights group said the strike occurred on January 6 at a crowded market in Kokoloko village, located in the Tillaberi region, about 120 kilometres west of the capital, Niamey, and less than three kilometres from the border with Burkina Faso.
According to HRW, the victims included four children, while at least 13 other civilians sustained injuries. Witnesses reportedly said they observed a military drone flying over the village twice in the morning before it dropped munitions while hundreds of people were gathered at the market.
“The strike, which also killed three Islamist fighters, violated laws-of-war prohibitions against indiscriminate attacks and might amount to a war crime,” HRW said.
Tillaberi has remained one of Niger’s most volatile regions, plagued by jihadist violence linked to armed groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. The area, which lies at the intersection of Niger’s borders with Burkina Faso and Mali, has been a major flashpoint for nearly a decade, with repeated deadly attacks on civilians and security forces.
Despite maintaining a significant military presence in the region, Niger’s military rulers—who seized power in a coup in 2023—have struggled to contain the activities of jihadist groups operating across the border areas.
Meanwhile, the Islamic State group recently claimed responsibility for an attack that targeted Niamey airport last month, underscoring the persistent security challenges facing the country.
Spatula Newspaper reports that HRW has called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident to ensure accountability and justice for the victims.
Margaret ABAH
