Last month, Togo’s government declared a state of emergency in the north, citing the threat of jihadist attacks.
An explosion in northern Togo killed seven people and wounded two others overnight Saturday into Sunday, the army said, without giving further details.
The blast took place in the Ton prefecture, near the border with Burkina Faso, from where Sahel jihadist activity threatens to spread to coastal West African states.
Last month, Togo’s government declared a state of emergency in the north, citing the threat of jihadist attacks.
“An investigation is underway to clarify the circumstances of this explosion and identify those responsible,” according to the army’s announcement.
However, the announcement does not give details about the explosion, in the village of Magba, nor does it describe it as an attack.
In May, eight soldiers were killed and 13 others wounded in an attack by dozens of gunmen in Togo’s northern sector. The armed forces have been deployed for years in the north to contain the threat of the spread of violence by jihadists who operate in neighboring states – Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger – and pledge allegiance to either al-Qaeda or the Islamic State.
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