SUMMARY

The non-state conflict between the Banibangou Vigilance Committee and IS erupted in 2021 following a string of attacks on farms around Banibangou in Tillaberi region. The Vigilance Committee mobilized to counter these attacks and prevent jihadist armed groups from rustling livestock.

On 2 November 2021, the Vigilance Committee was ambushed by the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), a subordinate faction of the Islamic State West Africa Province, during a search operation. 69 members of the Vigilance Committee were killed, including the leader Oumarou Bobo, while 15 survived.