Bokaro migrant worker killed in Africa's Niger

Time of India

18-07-2025

Bokaro: A 39-year-old migrant worker from Karipani village of Gomia block, identified as Ganesh Karmali, was among the six security personnel killed in a terrorist attack on July 15 in the southwestern Dosso region, about 100km from Niamey, the capital of Niger, a West African country.
Of the six, only Karmali was an Indian national.
However, two other Indian nationals working and providing security to the same electrical company, Transrail Lighting Ltd, were abducted during the attack. Of the two, one was confirmed abducted while the other was unaccounted for, Indian officials in the African country confirmed. Local Niger sources suggested that at least one Nigerien soldier was also killed in the attack, which locals said was a terrorist attack, but the authorities are yet comment.
Niger, under military rule following a 2023 coup, faced around a decade of violence perpetrated by jihadists affiliated with Al-Qaeda and Islamic State group.
The Dosso region borders both Nigeria and Benin, where attacks regularly target civilians, the army and also a giant oil pipeline transporting crude from Niger to Benin.
The authorities generally blame such attacks on "terrorists" or "bandits".
According to the families in Bokaro, Deceased Karmali is survived by his wife and three children — daughters Sapna Kumari (19), Jyoti Kumari (17) and son Anshu Kumar (2).
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The Indian Embassy in Niamey confirmed the incident on X and appealed to all Indians in the West African country to be vigilant.
Sikandar Ali, a social worker who advocates for migrant labourers, visited the family of the bereaved and called the incident a heartbreaking tragedy for poor workers, seeking livelihoods abroad. He recalled a similar attack in Niger on April 25, 2025, when five Indian migrant workers were kidnapped and 12 security personnel were killed.
In a post on X, the Embassy said, "In a heinous terrorist attack on 15 July in the Dosso region of Niger, one Indian national was killed, another abducted, and the third remains unaccounted for. The Embassy of India in Niamey is in close contact with the employer, the families of the affected individuals, and the host government to facilitate the early repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased and to ensure the safety and early release of the kidnapped Indian national.
All other Indian nationals in Niger have been advised to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant."
Bokaro labour superintendent Ranjit Kumar confirmed the incident, stating that the Jharkhand Migrant Cell is in active coordination with the Indian Embassy in Niger. "A team from the district labour department has visited the family of the deceased, and it has been decided that Rs 5 lakh compensation under the International Migrant Workers' Security Scheme will be provided to the immediate kin.
Additional compensation from the employing company in Niger is being pursued," Kuar said.
Meanwhile, five more migrant workers from Giridih, who went missing in Niger in April, are yet to be traced. Chandrika Mahto, along with four others — Sanjay Mahto, Raju Mahto, Faljit Mahto and Uttam Mahto — from Giridih's Dondlo and Mundro villages went to work with Kalpataru Projects International Limited, a power transmission company in Niger, to earn a living for their families. But in an unfortunate turn of events, all five were abducted in the West African nation on April 25, leaving their family members crestfallen for the last two months.