Armed assailants on motorbikes attacked a village in western Niger on Monday, September 15, 2025, killing 22 people, most of whom were attending a baptism ceremony, as the region grapples with ongoing jihadist violence.

The assault targeted Takoubatt village in the Tillaberi region, near the borders with Burkina Faso and Mali, where groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State are active. A local resident, speaking anonymously for security reasons, told AFP that 15 victims were killed at the baptism event, with seven more slain on the outskirts. Elmaestro TV, a local media outlet, described the attack as a "gruesome" act of "barbarism," leaving families in mourning.

Human rights activist Maikoul Zodi condemned the killings on social media, noting the Tillaberi region's repeated targeting. The Nigerien military junta, in power since a 2023 coup, has struggled to contain the insurgency despite a significant army presence. Last week, 20 soldiers died in the same area, highlighting the persistent threat.

Human Rights Watch has called for stronger civilian protections, estimating that the Islamic State has executed over 127 villagers and worshippers in Tillaberi since March. The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) reports around 1,800 deaths in Niger since October 2024, with three-quarters in Tillaberi.

Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso – all under military rule – expelled French and U.S. forces in recent years, pursuing a "sovereignist" approach to counter jihadism. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.