Gunmen launched a deadly assault on two villages in the Tillaberi border region of Niger Republic, resulting in the tragic deaths of 12 individuals who were working in the fields.

A municipal official from Anzourou district reported the attack, where all the victims were male and hailed from Doukou Saraou and Doukou Makani villages, situated less than a kilometer apart.

The Tillaberi region, bordering Mali and Burkina Faso, has become a hotspot for insurgent activity linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

Despite efforts, including the deployment of anti-jihadist forces, the area remains unstable, leading to frequent attacks and displacements of civilians.