Niger: Death toll from Eknewan attack rises to 64 as more soldiers succumb to injuries
By: Zagazola Makama
The death toll from the deadly terrorist ambush on a Nigerien military convoy in Eknewan has risen to 64, following the deaths of six more soldiers who were previously evacuated in critical condition to Niamey Referral Hospital.
According to security sources, the soldiers, who sustained severe injuries during the May 25 attack in the Tahoua region near the Mali border, succumbed to their wounds on Thursday despite receiving intensive medical care.
The updated figure brings the total number of soldiers killed in the ambush from 58 to 64, making it one of the deadliest single attacks against Nigerien forces in recent months.
The soldiers were part of a detachment responding to a resurgence of jihadist violence attributed to Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP), an affiliate of the Islamic State group operating in the tri-border region of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
The Nigerien Ministry of Defense had earlier reported that dozens of attackers were also neutralized in retaliatory action supported by air strikes.
The military junta in Niamey has yet to release an official update, but local sources say national mourning and intensified counter-insurgency operations are expected in response to the rising toll.
