Suspected insurgents killed 54 troops in an attack on a military posts last week in Benin National Park, the authorities said on Wednesday.
Government spokesman Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji gave the new toll to a press briefing on the April 17 attack in the W National Park in northern Benin, close to the borders with Burkina Faso and Niger.
Authorities had previously said eight soldiers were killed.
The attack was claimed by JNIM, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen which is affiliated with Al-Qadea. According to them around 70 Beninese soldiers were killed.
In January 2022, the nation sent out around 3,000 troops to guard its borders. Later, to strengthen security in the north, it dispatched an extra 5,000 troops.
In January, the GSIM also claimed responsibility for an ambush that killed 28 Benin soldiers close to the border between Benin, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
On behalf of the Youth Diplomacy Forum, we offer sincere condolences on the loss of precious lives and strongly condemn this terrorist attack that happened in North Benin against the soldiers. Any form of terror incident is strongly rejected and standing with the government and people of Benin in this difficult time.
Source: Khaleej Times
