A regional governor in northeastern Burkina Faso confirmed that 44 civilians were killed and others wounded in two villages near the Niger border.
The attack occurred overnight Thursday and was carried out by “armed terrorist groups,” according to the lieutenant-governor of the Sahel region, Rodolphe Sorgho.
The official said the army has intervened and that actions to stabilise the area are under way.
The situation has led to a humanitarian crisis, with over 1.2 million people internally displaced, according to the United Nations.
The West African nation has also struggled with political instability and economic challenges.
