Fifteen soldiers have been killed in what Niger’s defence ministry has described as a “terrorist attack” in the southwest of the country, near the border with Burkina Faso.
It said soldiers in the Torodi area of the Tillaberi region were ambushed and then hit by an improvised explosive device.
Seven soldiers were wounded and six are missing.
Ground forces backed by military aircraft are searching the area.
Jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State are active in the border region shared by Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
More than 30 villagers were killed in two separate attacks within the last week further north.
In Other News: SOMIZI RESPONDS AFTER MOHALE EXPOSED ALL DIRTY SECRETS
Mzansi star Somizi Mhlongo has found himself in the midst of a storm after his partner made damning claims into their published marriage. His soon-to-be-ex, Mohale spared no shorts as he lifted the lid on marriage from hell that he was subjected to while with Somizi. Mohale Motaung alleges that three weeks into their relationship, Somizi Mhlongo threatened him with a knife. Mohale Motaung and Somizi Mhlongo were anything besides the happy couple many people once thought...Learn more