The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has strongly condemned a deadly assault on military outposts in northern Benin that resulted in the deaths of 54 soldiers. The attack, which occurred on April 17 in the W National Park near the borders with Burkina Faso and Niger, marks the deadliest strike on Beninese forces to date.
In a statement released Thursday, ECOWAS described the attack as a “barbaric and cowardly act,” aimed at spreading fear and destabilizing the region. The regional body expressed solidarity with Benin, calling the incident an “odious terrorist attack” that inflicted significant casualties and injuries.
Benin’s government, which initially reported eight fatalities, revised the death toll to 54 on Wednesday. Government spokesperson Wilfried Leandre Houngbedji confirmed the new figures and emphasized the gravity of the assault on national security.
Terrorist organization JNIM has claimed responsibility, asserting that its fighters killed 70 soldiers in the attack—though this figure has not been officially verified.
The incident underscores the growing security threats in northern Benin, which borders regions in Burkina Faso and Niger long plagued by militant violence. Extremist groups and Daesh have waged insurgencies in both neighboring countries for over a decade.
In response to the escalating threat, Benin has significantly increased its military presence in the north, deploying 3,000 troops in January 2022 and later adding 5,000 more to bolster border security.
This is not the first time Beninese forces have come under deadly attack. In January, 28 soldiers were killed in another strike near the tri-border area, also claimed by JNIM.
ECOWAS reiterated its commitment to supporting member states in the fight against terrorism and urged greater regional cooperation to prevent further incursions by armed groups.