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The town, which lies close to the three-way border between Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, is prone to jihadist attacks from Islamist groups.

West African neighbours Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali are facing an insurgency from different jihadist groups which operate across the Sahel region.

Four people were killed and 22 injured when a convicted jihadist ran through the centre of the city opening fire, before he was eventually shot by police.

There has been a resurgence in jihadist attacks on military bases in the Sahel state in recent weeks.

However, the impression given - that Mr Tice had been abducted by a jihadist group - was quickly questioned by analysts and US officials, who said the scene "may have been staged".