Jihadists increase attacks in Nigeria, Niger and Benin borders

The security crisis in West Africa and the Sahel has deteriorated further amid reports of increased jihadist attacks in the border region between Nigeria, Niger and Benin, according to Africa News and agencies on February 26th.

Data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) showed that jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda, such as the Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), had expanded their operations in northern Nigeria and parts of Niger and Benin.

Benin has claimed that the cause of rising Islamist violence on its borders is a result of a spillover from Niger and Burkina Faso.

Nigeria’s Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara states experienced 86% more violent events in 2025, while Benin has experienced irregular, but deadly, cross-border raids by Islamist organisations, including JNIM.

Although JNIM primarily operates in the Sahel, the group has a presence in Nigeria, along with the Islamic State-affiliated Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Both Boko Haram and ISWAP aim to establish an Islamic Caliphate in Nigeria, which would be governed by Sharia Law; they are particularly active in the northeastern Borno State.

Similarly, the Lakurawa militants have been known to operate in northwestern Nigeria, but originated in the Sahel. The group was reportedly responsible for a February 18th attack in Kebbi State, which killed at least 33 people.

Niger has also experienced escalating violence from groups affiliated with the Islamic State, including an attack on an airport and military base on January 29th in Niamey.

Despite the Islamic State claiming responsibility for the airport attack, Niger’s junta has blamed France, Benin and the Ivory Coast for allegedly supporting the groups behind the violence.

Historically, Benin, Niger and the Ivory Coast were French colonies, along with Niger’s Sahel allies, Burkina Faso and Mali. However, Niger and its allies have accused Benin and the Ivory Coast of being French proxies due to their continued ties to Paris.

In recent years, Niger and its allies have rejected French and Western ties, instead favouring strategic and security partnerships with Russia, usually in exchange for access to natural resources, such as gold.

Although the three junta-led Sahel states have vowed to fight terrorism, the UN has warned that jihadist violence in the Sahel is rising, with groups exploiting regional instability to establish a foothold.

Africa News and agencies, Maghrebi.org