JUST IN: Gunmen Kill 7 Soldiers in Fresh Attack in Benin Republic, Details Emerge
- Unknown gunmen have renewed their attack in the Benin Republic and targeted the border area of the country
- Seven Benin soldiers were gunned down in an attack in the north of the country in Pendjari National Park
- A security source confirmed the development to the press on Wednesday and shared further details
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
Emerging reports disclosed that unknown gunmen killed seven Benin soldiers in an attack in the north of the country in Pendjari National Park.
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Benin’s military has been targeted several times in attacks in the north, where troops are deployed to help contain threats from jihadists who operate across the border in Burkina Faso.
A security source disclosed this to the press on Wednesday, June 5.
As reported by Channels TV, the sources did not identify the gunmen, but the attack on Tuesday was the latest in a border area.
As reported by France 24, this attack arises as Benin Republic faces growing spillover from jihadist conflicts in the Sahel, where criminal gangs and smugglers also operate.
“The information about the loss of seven of our compatriots is confirmed,” an army source said when asked about the attack.
Another security source confirmed the attack but hinted that no group immediately claimed responsibility and the army has yet to comment officially, Yahoo reported.
Meanwhile, West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea countries Benin, Togo, Ghana and Ivory Coast are all prepared for fallout from growing jihadist conflicts in the Sahel region across their northern borders.
Benin borders Burkina Faso and Niger, where jihadists linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State are fighting wars. Benin authorities have sent 3,000 troops to reinforce the frontier.
Benin’s government rarely comments about violence on its borders, but officials have acknowledged that since 2021 they have seen around 20 incursions.
Soldiers killed by gunmen in Aba
In a related piece, Legit.ng previously reported that the Nigerian military disclosed that gunmen killed two sergeants, two corporals and one lance corporal in a crossfire at Obikabia junction, Ogbor Hill, Aba in Abia state.
Legit.ng recalls that the gunmen suspected to be enforcers of the sit-at-home order directed by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) also burnt two patrol vans during the attack on Thursday, May 30.
The military said the gunmen also killed six civilians during the tragic incident.
Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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Source: Legit.ng
