Niger

NIAMEY, May 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The novel coronavirus caused the death of Niger’s minister of employment and labour, Mohamed Ben Omar, public television announced.

The minister’s Social Democratic Party (PSD) reported Ben Omar, 55, had died on Sunday at the main hospital in the capital Niamey but did not list the cause.

“Alas, it is this terrible disease which took the life of minister Mohamed Ben Omar,” public television Tele Sahel reported.

NIAMEY, March 18 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The defence ministry of Niger says at least 50 Boko Haram militants have been killed in a clash with troops.

Officials said the militants had launched an attack, using 20 vehicles, on an army outpost at the south-eastern village of Toummour on Sunday night, but were repelled in a counter attack.

One soldier was wounded.

Troops pursued retreating Boko Haram fighters to the shores of Lake Chad, capturing several, along with vehicles and weapons.

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Islamic extremists on motorcycles killed 14 security force members who were escorting election officials in the West African nation of Niger, the first large attack there since 71 soldiers were killed in a massive ambush earlier this month, authorities said Thursday.

The attack took place Wednesday night near Sanam, which is about 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the capital of Niamey, according to a government statement. Officials from the national electoral commission were in the area to conduct a census before next year’s vote.