15 police officers killed in southwestern Niger

Fifteen police officers have been killed by armed men in southwestern Niger, near the country’s borders with Nigeria and Benin, local sources told AFP on Saturday.

The attack happened on Friday at a gendarmerie station near Tessa in the Dosso region.

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A former local official said the attackers were unidentified gunmen on motorcycles who were believed to have come from neighbouring Nigeria.

A local official confirmed that 15 officers were killed but gave no further details.

Videos shared on social media appeared to show burnt vehicles and shelters inside the security compound.

The victims were buried on Saturday at a cemetery in Dosso.

Nigerien authorities have not yet commented on the attack.

The country has faced years of attacks by armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State.

Niger has been under military rule for three years and has also experienced several kidnappings of foreigners.

Earlier this month, hundreds of people reportedly fled their homes in the region following a series of attacks on villages in July.

The border area has seen increased jihadist activity in recent years, with groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State expanding their operations in the region.