The attack in northern Benin, claimed by JNIM, left several dozen victims among the country’s soldiers. ECOWAS calls on its member states to strengthen their cooperation to combat the growing security threat in the region.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) strongly condemned the deadly attack that occurred on Wednesday January 8, 2025 in the Point Triple region, northern Benin. This attack, claimed by the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (JNIM), cost the lives of several Beninese soldiers, according to a press release published Thursday in Abuja.
ECOWAS expressed its solidarity with the Beninese government and the families of the victims, while calling for a strengthening of regional cooperation in security and intelligence sharing to effectively combat the terrorist threat.
Furthermore, the President of the African Union (AU) Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, condemned this attack which occurred in Banikoara, a sensitive area on the border between Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso.
The chief of staff of the Benin National Guard, Colonel Faizou Gomina, indicated that the army neutralized 40 attackers during the clash. However, he stressed that the attacked position, an integral part of Operation Mirador, was one of the most militarized in this system of 3,000 soldiers deployed since 2022 to secure the borders.
Since 2021, Benin has lost 121 soldiers in attacks attributed to jihadist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Despite this heavy toll, the Beninese authorities affirm their determination to continue the fight against growing insecurity in the north of the country.
AC/SF/APA
