ECOWAS Condemns ‘Barbaric’ Jihadist Attack That Killed 54 Benin Troops

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In a statement released Thursday, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) strongly condemned what it described as a “barbaric and cowardly” attack on military posts in northern Benin that resulted in the deaths of 54 soldiers.

The assault, which occurred on April 17 in a Benin national park near the northern border, was initially reported to have claimed eight lives. However, a revised official death toll released by the Benin government on Wednesday confirmed that 54 troops were killed, marking the deadliest jihadist attack in the country’s recent history.

According to ECOWAS, the strike was “an odious terrorist attack” aimed at spreading terror and destabilizing member states. The bloc expressed deep condolences to the government and people of Benin, emphasizing that such violent acts undermine regional security and development efforts.

The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist network, has claimed responsibility for the attack, alleging it killed as many as 70 soldiers. While this number has not been independently verified, the official toll highlights the growing threat of extremist violence spilling into coastal West African nations from the Sahel.

Benin’s northern regions have increasingly become a frontline in the battle against jihadist insurgency, with the government blaming the violence on militants extending their reach from neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger—countries that have faced over a decade of conflict with groups tied to both Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.

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In response to the rising insecurity, Benin has ramped up military deployments, first sending 3,000 troops to its borders in January 2022 and later increasing the number by an additional 5,000 to reinforce operations in the north. Despite these efforts, the country suffered another deadly ambush in January 2025, where 28 soldiers were killed near the tri-border area with Niger and Burkina Faso.

The escalation of attacks raises fresh concerns about regional security cooperation and the urgent need for more coordinated action among West African states to combat terrorism.

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