Northeast Benin has just experienced its bloodiest episode in almost a year. On Wednesday, March 5, a position of the Beninese Armed Forces (FAB) located in Kofonou, near Karimama, was the target of a violent assault carried out by terrorist groups.

A heavy toll at the Niger border

The attack, located a few kilometers from the border with Niger and more than 750 km from Cotonou, claimed the lives of fifteen soldiers . The army spokesperson also reported five wounded, specifying, however, that their lives were not in danger.

Air strike and ground pursuit

The army did not remain idle. A military aircraft was deployed to intercept a column of fleeing attackers. This intervention made it possible to:

1. Neutralize four terrorists.
2. Destroying several motorcycles , the main means of transport for armed groups in the region.

Currently, sweep operations are still underway to secure the area and flush out any entrenched attackers.

Communications war

The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) quickly claimed responsibility for the operation, asserting that it had taken control of the military post. This claim was categorically rejected by the Beninese military command.

"They don't control anything at all," a high-ranking officer insisted to RFI.

State of heightened alert

Although the exact circumstances of the ambush remain unclear, military authorities immediately raised the alert level across all positions in the north of the country. This area of Karimama, already vulnerable in the past, remains under high surveillance in the face of increasing pressure from jihadist groups operating in the Sahel.