COTONOU, Benin — An attack by Islamic militants on military posts in northern Benin’s Alibori department on April 17 resulted in the deaths of at least 54 soldiers, the government announced, revising an earlier report of eight fatalities. The assault, which took place near the borders of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria, marks one of the deadliest extremist attacks in Benin’s history.
The extremist group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), affiliated with al-Qaida, claimed responsibility for the attack, asserting it killed 70 soldiers, according to the SITE Intelligence Group. The Alibori region, part of the tri-border area encompassing the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex, has become a focal point for cross-border militant activities due to its proximity to conflict-ridden Sahel countries.
Benin has increasingly faced spillover violence from its neighbors, where extremist groups exploit porous borders and regional instability. Government spokesperson Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji highlighted the need for greater cooperation with neighboring countries to prevent such attacks, noting that the lack of coordinated border security enables militants to operate with impunity.
The attack underscores the growing threat of extremist violence in West Africa, particularly in coastal states previously considered stable. Authorities in Benin continue to assess the situation as concerns mount over the region’s security.