According to authorities, on Tuesday security forces were the target of two separate attacks, perpetrated by "unidentified armed bandits," according to the terms of a statement from the Ministry of the Interior.

The first attack took place in the Tillabéri region in the west, more precisely, at the Petelkolé police post, on the border with Burkina.

Seven police officers were killed, several others wounded, six vehicles were burned. Several shops and hangars in the surrounding area were set on fire, according to the Ministry of the Interior. In March and last October, other attacks allegedly carried out by jihadists had already been reported in this highly unstable locality.

The second attack targeted a position of the Niger National Guard in Djado. This occurred in the Agadez region, a desert zone close to Libya, and monitored by American soldiers, who are based in the town of Dirkou. On Tuesday, four Nigerien soldiers were killed and two vehicles were seized. The authorities provide no further details and simply indicate that security has been reinforced in this zone.