Tillabéri, town in the extreme west of Niger Republic, is in crisis following the release of shocking videos and images purportedly revealing human rights abuses by Nigerien security forces.
Circulating widely on social media, the footage shows security personnel presenting groups of unarmed civilians as terrorists.
According to Zagazola Makama, many of those depicted appear to be ordinary villagers, raising serious doubts about the legitimacy of these allegations.
Eyewitnesses claim the military’s tactics resemble those of Burkina Faso’s notorious Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR), known for extrajudicial killings and widespread human rights abuses.
The lack of weapons or motorcycles—common indicators of terrorist activity in the region—has intensified fears that security forces are engaging in ethnic profiling and arbitrary arrests.
“This reckless conduct by the army is not just a human rights violation but a strategic blunder,” a local activist, speaking anonymously, warned.
“By indiscriminately targeting communities without evidence, the government risks alienating its own people and driving them toward radicalization.”
Observers caution that such heavy-handed crackdowns could have dangerous consequences, further destabilizing an already volatile region.
With Tillabéri caught between insurgents and state forces, the mistreatment of civilians risks pushing frustrated youth into the ranks of extremist groups. Instead of weakening armed factions, these actions could fuel terrorist recruitment efforts by deepening grievances and resentment.
As tensions rise, the region faces growing uncertainty.
Public confidence in security forces is rapidly eroding, potentially undermining local cooperation with authorities and making counterterrorism efforts even more challenging.
