Jihadist Violence in Niger: 127 Executions Reported by Human Rights Watch

Fri Oct 17 2025 09:51:47 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A chilling report reveals that jihadists in Niger have carried out multiple attacks, resulting in the summary execution of 127 individuals, raising concerns over the military junta's ability to handle the insurgency.

Human Rights Watch claims jihadist insurgents have executed at least 127 people in Niger since March, with a particularly brutal attack in June resulting in over 70 deaths at a mosque. The violence challenges the credibility of Niger's military junta, which took power pledging to combat such extremism. Approximately 1,600 civilians have reportedly been killed by ISIS-linked groups since the coup in 2023, highlighting a deteriorating security situation in the region.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported that nearly 130 people have been summarily executed by Islamist insurgents in Niger through a series of deadly attacks, including a horrific massacre at a mosque in the Tillabéri region in June where more than 70 worshippers were killed during prayers.

A witness stated, There were bodies everywhere, one on top of the other, reflecting the horror experienced during the attack, which claimed the lives of multiple individuals, including three of the woman's sons.

This recent wave of violence severely undermines the credibility of Niger's military junta, which assumed power following a coup in 2023, promising to tackle the insurgency. According to HRW, around 1,600 civilians have lost their lives at the hands of ISIS fighters since the junta took control.

The organization notes that jihadist groups have also devastated schools and places of worship and enforced strict interpretations of Islam, further endangering the local population. Ilaria Allegrozzi, a senior HRW researcher, urged the Nigerien authorities to enhance their efforts to protect vulnerable communities in the conflict-ridden Tillabéri region.

Reports of attacks continue, including incidents in May where five men and two boys were killed in an assault on the Dani Fari area, with eyewitness testimony suggesting that the victims had been brutally shot. Some witnesses claimed that repeated requests for military protection were neglected, exacerbating the dangers faced by local residents.

While no group has officially claimed responsibility for these assaults, HRW indicates that evidence suggests the involvement of Islamic State fighters identifiable by their distinctive clothing. The Tillabéri region, which borders Burkina Faso and Mali, has become a key battleground in the ongoing insurgency that has plagued the broader Sahelian region.

Both Niger and its neighboring countries have sought assistance from alternative partners such as Russia and Turkey for security solutions, amidst growing pressure to find effective strategies to combat the escalating violence.