Suspected fighters of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) carried out a deadly raid on several villages in the Bankilaré area of Tillabéri Region in western Niger on Monday, killing at least 28 civilians.

Zagazola Makama gathered from local sources that the coordinated attacks occurred around 6 p.m. on June 23 and simultaneously targeted the villages of Ezzak, Tatararat, Tarjarmourghatt, and Addas.

The provisional death toll stands at 28, while several others remain unaccounted for. The sources reported that the assailants, believed to be members of the ISGS, also ordered the villagers to vacate their lands immediately.

The attack marks one of the deadliest in recent weeks in the volatile region, which has been grappling with recurrent extremist violence despite ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by Nigerien security forces and regional partners.

As of the time of filing this report, no official statement has been issued by the authorities regarding the incident.

Efforts are ongoing to verify the full extent of the casualties and displacements. (Zagazola, but headline rejigged)