NIAMEY — Niger's military government has accused Chad of carrying out a drone strike in northern Niger that it says killed two civilians, Africanews and AFP reported — an allegation Chad denied on Tuesday, calling on Niamey to make its evidence public.

Niger said the strike hit early on Saturday, October 24, at the Salvador Pass in the mountainous Emi Lulu area of the Agadez region, a remote mining area near Niger's borders with Algeria and Libya and a route known for smuggling and militant activity.

In a statement read on national television, Niger described the strike as an 'act of aggression' and a violation of its sovereignty, accused Chad of supporting mercenaries and targeting civilians and strategic infrastructure, and alleged the attack was carried out with the support of France. Those claims are Niger's allegations; neither Chad's nor France's involvement has been independently established.

Niamey said it had summoned Chad's ambassador, demanded an immediate end to what it called hostile actions and compensation for the damage, and said it would refer the matter to the UN Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council while calling for an independent international investigation.

Benin Web TV reported an update on Tuesday: Chad's ambassador was received by Alio Daouda, Niger's justice minister acting as interim foreign minister. Earlier on Tuesday, Chad's government denied any involvement, and its spokesperson Gassim Cherif Mahamat called on Niamey to make its evidence public and expressed support for an independent international investigation, the report said.

The dispute follows a September allegation by Niger that Chad was involved in a foiled mutiny, with Niamey alleging French backing for efforts to destabilise its military government — claims reported at the time without presented evidence. Relations between the neighbours have deteriorated in recent months.