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Such an attack on tourists is believed to be the first in this region of the former French colony, famous for its last unique West African giraffe population.
“There are eight dead: two Nigerians are guide and driver, and the other six are French,” the governor of the Tilaber region told the news agency.
“We are responding to this situation; we will provide more information later, ”said Governor Tidjani Ibrahim Katiella. He did not specify who was responsible for the attack.
A source close to environmental services said the attack occurred around 11 p.m. 30 minutes. local time (1 pm 30 minutes Lithuania) six kilometers east of the city of Kure, approximately one hour from the capital Niamey.
“Most of the victims were shot … We found a magazine with no ammunition at the scene,” said AFP sources. “We do not know the identities of the attackers, but they came on motorcycles through the bushes and waited for the tourists to arrive.”
Photos obtained by AFP show the carcasses of a seagull near the burning truck. The rear window of the car was shot.
About 20 years ago, a small flock of West African giraffes, which stood out in a lighter color, found a safe haven from poachers and predators in the Kure area.
Today, several hundred of these animals live, which attracts many tourists. The giraffe is cared for by both locals and environmental groups.
However, the Tilaber region is a turbulent area near the borders with Mali and Burkina Faso.
It is home to members of Sahelian jihadist groups such as the Islamic State of the Greater Sahara (ISGS).
Motorcycling has been banned in the region since January in an effort to curb the militant movement.
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