SAA event in Niger on Fri 9th June 2023

Several vehicles with non-Nigerian armed men on board, according to certain sources, launched a surprise attack on the Tchibarakatene gold mining site, located not far from the Algerian border, on June 9, 2023. 

Hoping to create panic by firing heavy weapons (12/7 and 14/5), the attackers had the unpleasant surprise of receiving an impressive deluge of fire in response from the Niger defense and security forces.

Contacted by Aïr Info, a security source based in Tchibarakatene and witness to the attack confirmed that they "dared to attack us, it's true, but they bitterly regretted it." Our source continued, "they left lifeless bodies of their own people littering the area. And the carcasses of their vehicles are there to testify to this."

A report announced by the army general staff on June 10th states that one (1) army vehicle was damaged; three (3) bodies of attackers were left behind; four (4) of their Toyota vehicles were recovered, one of which was burnt out; one (1) 12.7mm machine gun as well as several rockets and various munitions were recovered.

At present, calm has returned to Tchibarakatene where people are quietly going about their business.