Security forces in Niger have killed five suspected members of the jihadist group Boko Haram in an operation to rescue eight people recently abducted in the town of Maldjori, one of whom was killed during the clashes.
According to information gathered by the Nigerian news portal ActuNiger, the kidnapping took place on the night of Monday to Tuesday in this locality, located in the region of Diffa (southeast), one of the most affected by the operations of Boko Haram.
In response, the National Guard launched a search operation that led to the location of those responsible for the abduction and led to clashes that resulted in the death of five suspects and the release of seven hostages, three of whom were injured.
The region of Diffa, on the shores of Lake Chad, is the scene of relatively frequent attacks by Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA).
The African country also faces a terrorist threat in the west from Al Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates in the regions of Tillabéri and Tahoua, located in the ‘three borders’ area – next to Mali and Burkina Faso.
