AFRICA/NIGER - New jihadist attack near the mission of Makalondi

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Makalondi (Agenzia Fides) - A new jihadist attack on the border with Burkina Faso has caused numerous injuries and the death of two policemen. The objective of this clash was a police checkpoint located in the south of the city of Makalondi, 50 km from Bomoanga, where on 17 September Father Luigi Maccalli was kidnapped (see Fides, 18/9/2018). The news of the attack, which took place on the evening of 17 November, was reported to Agenzia Fides by Father Vito Girotto, a priest of the Society for African Missions (SMA) who, for security reasons after the kidnapping of his confrere Fr. Maccalli was forced to abandon his mission. According to the information gathered by Fr. Vito, the assailants took possession of the policemen’s weapons. The missionary reassured that "nothing happened to the three priests and Christians". Currently the mission is served by a team of 2 Niger priests and a Beninese SMA priest.
As confirmed by Radio France International, the attack lasted a few minutes. As soon as the alarm was given, the first reinforcements arrived. The jihadists are trying to find weapons. The opening of this new front in the south-west, in the village of Gourma, is of great concern for Niamey.
Other sources have stated that, in recent days, the Nigerian armed forces have carried out land and air operations against jihadists in the W National Park. Several terrorist cells have been dismantled and the militant mopping-up operations continue. (MP/AP) (Agenzia Fides, 19/11/2018)