This tragic incident occurred around 2 p.m. as worshippers gathered, highlighting the vulnerability of civilians in the region.

Since the military coup in 2023, Niger has ended military cooperation with several international counter-terrorism partners, including France and the United States, contributing to a surge in violence.

In 2024 alone, approximately 1,700 people were killed in Niger, with at least 416 casualties resulting from attacks on civilians, reflecting a broader trend of escalating violence in the Sahel region.

While the ISGS has been identified as responsible for the attack, no group has formally claimed responsibility at this time.

In response to the attack, the Nigerien government declared a 72-hour national mourning period, during which flags will be flown at half-mast across the country.

General Salifou Mody condemned the attack as a 'despicable act' that contradicts any religious ideals, emphasizing the brutality of such violence.

On March 22, 2025, an armed attack during Friday prayers at a mosque in Fambita, southwestern Niger, resulted in the deaths of at least 44 civilians, with 13 others injured.

The assault was reportedly carried out by suspected members of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), who surrounded the mosque and unleashed extreme violence.

Fambita is situated in the Tillabéri region, a notorious hotspot for jihadist activities where Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso converge, making it one of the most dangerous areas globally.

The Tillabéri region has seen increasing insecurity in recent years, exacerbated by political instability following the coup on July 26, 2023, which has led to a rise in attacks against both military and civilian populations.

The assailants not only attacked the mosque but also set fire to a market and residential buildings during their retreat, further illustrating the brutality of the assault.

With more than 99% of Niger's population being Muslim, the attack's significance resonates deeply within the community, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by jihadist groups.