BAROUA, Niger (SCANS) — At least eight people were killed Tuesday when a mixed-use transport vehicle struck an improvised explosive device near Baroua in Niger’s southeastern Diffa region, authorities and local sources said.
The blast occurred the morning of Feb. 10 and destroyed the vehicle, which was carrying passengers and goods. Several other people were injured, though the exact number was not immediately confirmed.
The Diffa region, bordering Nigeria and near Lake Chad, has long been affected by violence linked to Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Armed groups in the area have increasingly used roadside bombs on key routes frequently traveled by civilians and security forces.
Poor road infrastructure in the region has heightened the risks. Many paved roads are in disrepair, forcing drivers to take alternative routes that residents say are more vulnerable to explosive devices.
“These mines cause significant damage to civilians and security forces alike,” a local resident said, citing the deteriorating road network and limited transport options.
In a separate incident, an object of unknown origin fell around 11 a.m. Wednesday in several villages in the rural commune of Kornaka in Dokoro department, in the Maradi region, according to a SCANS source. The affected villages included Dan Madi, Dajin Baouchi, Guidan Kaoura and Tsouké. No immediate information was available on casualties or damage.
Authorities in Diffa said investigations are underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding Tuesday’s explosion.
