Islamic State has said its militants in West Africa were behind the killing of eight people in Niger last month, a statement by the US-based SITE Intelligence Group said on Thursday.
The eight – which included six French aid workers, their local guide and driver – were on a trip to see some of the last giraffes in West Africa in the Kouré National Park.
A statement from the group has been published by the US-based Site Intelligence Group which monitors extremist violence.
Reports at the time said they were shot by gunmen who arrived on motorbikes.
Islamic State said a detachment of its West Africa Province group (ISWAP) carried out the “blitz attack” on the group in the Koure area, near the capital Niamey.
The six French nationals and their driver worked for international aid group ACTED and were touring the reserve, which is a popular destination for expatriates and was considered safe by the Nigerien government.
France and other countries have warned people against travelling to parts of Niger where militants including Boko Haram and ISWAP operate.