…potentially threatening Nigeria ,Algeria Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP)

Oredola Adeola

A terrorist group launched an attack on the Niger-Benin pipeline on Friday evening, setting parts of the facility ablaze near Mountseka in Konni Department.

The assault, which occurred shortly after iftar, sent towering flames into the night sky, with dramatic footage recorded by local residents.

The attack raises fresh concerns about the security of the multi-billion-dollar pipeline, a key economic asset for Niger.

This development impacting major infrastructure highlights the growing instability in the region, where violent incidents have become the order of the day.

The Niger-Benin pipeline, a 2,000-kilometer crude oil export route linking the Agadem oil fields in Niger to the Port of Sèmè in Benin, was officially commissioned in 2024.

Operated by the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), the pipeline is designed to transport up to 90,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil for export, marking a significant milestone in Niger’s oil industry.

Just days earlier, armed assailants carried out a deadly attack on civilians in Fambita, an incident reportedly linked to the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS).

This incident unfolds as Nigeria, Algeria, and Niger advance work on the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Project, 4000-kilometer pipeline designed to transport natural gas from Nigeria through Niger to Algeria, a project aimed at supplying gas from Africa to Europe.

The recent attack on the Niger-Benin pipeline highlights serious security risks that could threaten the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP), potentially delaying implementation, and deterring investors.

As the Military Junta in Niger Republic struggles to protect existing energy infrastructure, this has therefore raised doubts about the feasibility of securing the TSGP.