• At least 54 soldiers killed in a jihadist attack in northern Benin.
• The attack was claimed by the al-Qaida-affiliated group, JNIM.
• ECOWAS condemned the attack as a "barbaric and cowardly act".
• The violence reflected ongoing security challenges in the tri-border area.
• The Beninese government has deployed thousands of troops to combat insurgency.

On April 17, at least 54 soldiers were killed in a coordinated jihadist attack on military posts in northern Benin, according to Le Monde and TRT Global. The Beninese government initially reported eight soldiers dead before updating the toll, marking the deadliest attack in recent memory, with the extremist group JNIM claiming responsibility and asserting a higher casualty figure of 70.

Government spokesman Wilfried Léandre Houngbédji confirmed that the attackers targeted military positions at a tripoint location between Benin, Niger, and Burkina Faso, as well as at the Koudou Falls. He emphasized the seriousness of the incident, noting that "this does not diminish the seriousness of what happened," according to TRT Global and Africa News.

In a statement, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned the attack, describing it as a "barbaric and cowardly act," which seeks to "sow terror" in member states. The situation highlights escalating terrorism in the region, where Benin has been grappling with spillover violence from conflicts in neighboring countries, according to TRT Global and Africa News.

Benin has deployed nearly 8,000 military personnel since January 2022 to secure its borders, reflecting the urgent need to bolster defense against extremist groups operating in the area. Houngbédji cited a lack of regional cooperation, suggesting that better coordination could prevent such attacks, as expressed in statements by Le Monde and TRT Global.