At least 49 villagers were killed and 17 injured in an attack on Tchombangou, according to a security source.

In Zaroumdareye, about 30 villagers were killed, according to a government source.

Extremists linked to the terrorist movements IS and al-Qaeda regularly carry out deadly attacks in the West African country.

Last year, hundreds of people were killed in such attacks, mainly along the border with Mali, Burkina Faso and Nigeria.