Africa-Press. Benin’s armed forces confirmed the death of 15 soldiers and the injury of four others in an attack targeting a military post in the village of Kofouno, near the town of Karimama in the northeast of the country. Army spokesperson Colonel James Johnson said the wounded soldiers received medical treatment and are in stable condition.
The attack targeted a military site in the Kofouno area, in Alibori department near the border with Niger, where Beninese forces are heavily deployed to monitor the border and prevent infiltration by armed groups. The military spokesperson noted that the announced toll remains preliminary as field operations continue to secure the area and determine the circumstances of the attack, while authorities have not yet disclosed the identity of the attackers or further details of the operation.
Following the attack, a group of armed militants attempted to withdraw from the clash site, but aircraft belonging to the Beninese armed forces intervened and targeted them, killing four of the attackers, according to the military statement. Command officials said the ongoing air and ground operations aim to prevent the attackers from escaping and ensure stability in the area.
A tense security context
Karimama lies in the far north of Benin, bordering Niger and Burkina Faso, a region that has seen increased military deployments in recent years to counter threats from armed groups active in the Sahel. In 2022, authorities launched Operation “Mirador” to strengthen surveillance and military presence in the north as part of a strategy to protect borders and limit infiltration.
The latest attack in Kofouno highlights the continuing security challenges facing Benin in its border regions and raises questions about the ability of the armed forces to contain growing threats amid a volatile regional environment.
