In a brutal assault on a village in western Niger, gunmen on motorbikes killed 22 people, most of whom were attending a baptism ceremony. The attack occurred in the Tillabéri region, which borders Mali and Burkina Faso, areas plagued by jihadist insurgency. According to a local resident, 15 individuals were killed at the ceremony, while seven others were slain as the assailants moved to another location. Maikoul Zodi, a civil rights activist, described the incident on social media as an act of terror that disrupted a moment of celebration. Niger’s military government, which has been grappling with jihadist violence linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State, confirmed the attack but has yet to release official casualty figures. Local media outlet Elmaestro TV reported the incident as a ‘gruesome death toll of 22 innocent people cowardly killed without reason or justification.’ The Tillabéri region has become a hotspot for jihadist activity, with Human Rights Watch recently documenting a surge in attacks since March, resulting in over 127 deaths and widespread destruction of property. The group criticized authorities for failing to respond effectively to warnings and pleas for help from villagers. Just last week, 14 Nigerien soldiers were killed in an ambush in the same region, underscoring the escalating violence. Access restrictions and fear of reprisals often make it challenging to verify casualty numbers independently. Mr. Zodi has called on the government to prioritize civilian safety, urging stronger state presence in vulnerable areas. Niger, along with its neighbors Burkina Faso and Mali, has been under military rule since coups in recent years. These nations have expelled French and U.S. forces previously involved in counterterrorism efforts and have since formed an alliance, seeking support from Russia and Turkey. Despite these measures, the violence persists, raising questions about the effectiveness of current strategies.