54 Soldiers Killed in Northern Benin Attacks
Benin government Officially Confirms Death Toll, Denies Social Media Exaggerations Amid Ongoing Terrorist Threats
- 54 soldiers confirmed dead in coordinated attacks on April 17 in northern Benin
- Social media death toll claims in the hundreds are rejected by the government
- 33 attackers killed and security challenges persist
Benin’s government officially confirmed the tragic deaths of 54 soldiers in coordinated attacks on April 17 in the country’s northern regions.
Government spokesperson Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji dismissed exaggerated reports circulating on social media that claimed the death toll was in the hundreds.
He clarified that 8 soldiers were killed at Koudou Falls and 46 at the tripoint area where Benin borders Niger and Burkina Faso.
In his statement, Houngbédji extended condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and highlighted the serious nature of the losses. He also reported that 33 attackers were killed during the clashes, with numerous injuries reported on both sides.
The spokesperson pointed to the need for improved military logistics and equipment to tackle the growing threat from extremist groups linked to al-Qaeda and Daesh. He also noted that insufficient cooperation with neighboring countries has allowed these groups to intensify their attacks.
Despite Operation Mirador, launched in 2022 to strengthen security, northern Benin remains a hotspot for extremist activity, recalling the deadly ambush in January that claimed 28 soldiers’ lives.
