No fewer than 14 members of the Nigerien Defence and Security Forces have been killed in a coordinated terrorist attack and subsequent ambush in N’Guigmi, Diffa Region, southeastern Niger, on Friday morning.

Security expert Zagazola Makama disclosed this in a report posted on his official X handle.

According to him, the attack occurred at about 9:30 a.m. on July 31, when heavily armed assailants approached the town from the Sabon Carré neighbourhood, southwest of N’Guigmi, and launched an assault on a National Guard position located near the town’s cemetery.

Sources said the initial attack prompted a military response as reinforcements moved to pursue the fleeing attackers.

But the responding troops reportedly ran into a well-prepared ambush about one kilometre south of the National Guard position, resulting in heavy casualties.

Preliminary reports indicate that 14 security personnel were killed, comprising 10 soldiers of the Niger Armed Forces (FAN), including one officer, and four members of the National Guard.