Attack on Kandadji Dam Convoy and Ongoing Hostage Crisis
On 25 April 2025, a convoy of 38 individuals—12 foreign workers and 26 Nigerien personnel—escorted by Nigerien Defence and Security Forces (FDS), was ambushed near Sakoira in Tillabéri while en route to the Kandadji dam construction site. Dozens of Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) militants opened fire, killing 12 FDS soldiers and abducting six hostages: five Indian nationals (Sanjay Mahto, Faljit Mahto, Raju Mahto, Chandrika Mahto and Uttam Mahto), all employed by Kalpataru Power Transmission and originating from Dondlo and Mundro villages in Giridih district, Jharkhand (India), and one Nigerien worker. Several convoy vehicles were intercepted and destroyed. A subsequent air-and-ground operation led to the arrest of two suspected ISGS fighters, but the hostages remain missing.
The Kandadji dam represents a strategic pillar of Niger’s energy independence; targeting this project underscores ISGS’s intent to disrupt critical infrastructure and deter international involvement. In response, Niger’s military has launched additional aerial reconnaissance sorties over the suspected abduction zone, deployed rapid-reaction units along key supply routes in Tillabéri, and intensified ground patrols around Kandadji and Sakoira, though no contact with the abductees has yet been re-established.
New Delhi has engaged vigorously with Niamey. On 30 April, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi confirmed “intensive coordination” with Nigerien counterparts, while Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren appealed directly to Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar for all possible measures to secure the hostages’ safe return. The Indian Embassy in Niamey continues daily consultations with Nigerien authorities, with a second round of bilateral talks scheduled for 7 May.
Regionally, this incident marks a shift in ISGS tactics toward high-profile kidnappings of foreign nationals, escalating political pressure on both Nigerien and external stakeholders. ECOWAS and France’s Takuba Task Force have offered logistical and intelligence support to Niger’s counter-terrorism operations. Sporadic skirmishes along the Niger–Mali border as of early May indicate that ISGS factions remain active in the broader region.
As of 5 May 2025, the six hostages remain unlocated, security clashes persist near Tillabéri, and diplomatic outreach continues. Africa Security Analysis will monitor the situation and provide further updates on the security environment in Tillabéri and efforts to recover the abducted workers.
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