SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF TOGOLESE FLEE HOMES OVER JIHADIST THREAT

By Joshua Illya

More than 4,000 Togolese in the country’s northern region have fleed their homes this year following an increase jihadist attacks, the government revealed Friday.

Displaced groups include Togolese who had to leave their villages, and Burkina Faso nationals who had crossed the border to escape attacks by Islamist militants.

Local media reports say Togo, Benin, Ghana and Ivory Coast are increasingly concerned that the jihadist threat is spreading further south from countries in the Sahel region.

There have been at least five attacks in northern Togo over the last year.

The BBC reported that communications minister said victims of the violence were being helped with psychological support and displaced students would be offered education in schools within host communities.