68 killed in series of Lakurawa attacks on villages in Dioundiou, Niger

Local sources reported that 68 people were killed in a series of attacks by the Lakurawa group in the Dioundiou department of Niger’s Dosso region between November 10 and 12, 2026.

According to accounts from a WhatsApp group in the department and testimonies gathered by MDMG Sahel, the attacks began on November 10 in Zalokoto Nord (also referred to as Zollo Koto), where five people were killed, one was wounded, the village was burned, and livestock was taken. On November 11, attackers struck Angoual Dawra, killing 22 people and setting fire to the village and grain stores.

On November 12, the group attacked multiple villages around 17:00, including Hamamara (11 killed), Firoré (18 killed), and Angoual Raïraï (12 killed). Homes, shops, granaries, and at least one vehicle were burned. The victims were described as heads of families. Bodies were buried on November 13, including the village chief of Angoual Raïraï and a senior nurse from Ama-mara (Hamamara). Survivors fled to nearby areas such as Kara-Kara.

The Lakurawa group, described in local reports as affiliated with the Islamic State, has been active in the border areas of Niger and Nigeria. Earlier incidents in the same department included an attack on Zabori on November 8 and school closures in the southeast. No official government casualty figures were immediately available.