NIAMEY — At least 44 people were killed and 13 others injured in what authorities described as a deliberate strike against civilians in southwestern Niger on Friday, according to Interior Minister Mohamed Toumba.

The assault occurred in the village of Fonbita, in the rural commune of Kokorou, when armed militants believed to be affiliated with the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) stormed a mosque, targeting worshippers during prayer.

Toumba, speaking on state television, confirmed that four of the injured are in critical condition, and labeled the assault a “cowardly and inhumane act.” The government has vowed to intensify its efforts to combat terrorism in the region.

In response, 72 hours of national mourning were declared starting Saturday, with flags to be flown at half-mast and public events scaled back across the country.

The Tillabéri region, near the borders with Mali and Burkina Faso, has become a hotspot for extremist violence in recent years, with groups like ISGS exploiting weak state presence and regional instability.

Although no group has claimed responsibility, the Interior Ministry's attribution to ISGS aligns with the group's established presence in the region.

Authorities have launched an investigation and promised a strong response to bring those responsible to justice. — Agencies