The magnitude of this year’s violence has called into question claims of progress in the fight against Islamist militants by governments in the Sahel region of West Africa and the former colonial power France, which has 5,000 cash to support them.
A security source blamed Sunday’s attacks, which were carried out by men on motorcycles in the remote region of Tahoua, near the border with Mali, at the local branch of the Islamic State. The Islamic State has claimed previous strikes against security forces and French aid workers.
Niger only ended a period of mourning for previous attacks on Friday.
Harouna Abarchi, a civil society activist leading peace initiatives in the area, said the increase in the death toll is the result of Islamists engaging in ethnic conflicts between rival farming and livestock communities.
The militants, from much of the Fulani livestock community, have led civilians in retaliation for the killing of Fulani by self-defense militias formed by farmers.
“It’s a fragile area that has seen inter-community conflicts in the past,” Abarchi said. “Now they are looking for civilians, who … could set the area on fire.”
The security crisis will land at the feet of President-elect Mohamed Bazoum, who takes office next week, succeeding Mahamadou Issoufou.
Abu Oumarou, a retired colonel and former regional governor, said the repeated attacks raised questions about the military’s response.
“How come 200 people can get around on motorcycles and nobody knows?” He said. “These forces need to surround these areas so we can know when there is mass movement.”
The government said it is investigating the attacks.