Kingsley Kobo, AfricaNews reporter in Abidjan, Ivory Coast
Ten people including seven Nigerien soldiers have been killed in armed clashes in the village of Tlemsess in the Tahoua region, located 750 kilometres northwest of Niamey, and bordering Mali, Reuters said on Sunday.
According to Niger’s military sources, unidentified armed men attacked the village late last week and clashed with soldiers on guard. Seven soldiers and a civilian were killed while three of the assailants also died in the battle.
Niger’s soldiers succeeded in repulsing the attack, with the bandits fleeing into Mali, according to state reports.
Soldiers said a European passport was found in the attackers’ vehicle that broke down during their escape. No further details were given.
It is still unclear what the attackers' motives were, but the region where the attack took place is a restive zone where Tuareg rebels and al Qaeda cells are active.
One person has been arrested in connection with the incident according to Niger’s Interior Ministry.
On December 28, four Saudi Arabian tourists were killed in a similar attack carried out by unidentified gunmen.
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