In a shocking display of violence, gunmen on motorbikes targeted a joyous baptism ceremony in Tillabéri, Niger, leaving 22 people dead, with the majority being attendees of the event.

According to a resident who spoke to AFP, the attackers struck during the sacred celebration, killing 15 people at the venue before moving on to take seven more lives elsewhere. Civil rights activist Maikoul Zodi conveyed the terror of the attack on social media, saying, "While people celebrated a baptism ceremony, gunmen opened fire, sowing death and terror."

Niger's military government is grappling with the relentless wave of jihadist violence, predominantly carried out by factions aligned with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Elmaestro TV reported a harrowing death toll, branding the killings as cowardly and unjustified.

Though Niger's authorities confirmed the attack's occurrence in Tillabéri, they have refrained from releasing specific casualty figures, which tend to be challenging to verify due to the region's instability.

Jihadist Violence on the Rise

The situation in Niger has been deteriorating. Last week, Human Rights Watch highlighted a troubling trend, reporting a steep increase in attacks since March, with over 127 villagers and Muslim worshippers brutally killed in recent months. The report also noted the widespread looting and destruction of homes.

Criticism has been directed at the government for its failure to respond to warnings and the calls for help from distressed villagers.

Recent Military Losses