Three other people in the group of eight travellers were seriously wounded in the attack and transported to hospital in Niamey, Communication Minister Kassoum Moctar said on state radio.
“Niger’s government deplores these barbarous acts that were unfortunately perpetrated on its territory, and offers its condolences to the Saudi government,” he said.
The group was made up of six Saudi nationals and two Malians and was travelling to Mali.
Military sources said the attack appeared to have been a botched hostage-taking and added that security forces had arrested three suspects since the incident. The suspects were being held at a military base in Tillabery near the Mali border, the sources said on condition of anonymity.
The attack, near the village of Djambala, comes in a restive zone where Tuareg rebels and al Qaeda cells are active.
Four Westerners — three Spaniards and a Frenchman — are believed to be held hostage by al Qaeda operatives in Mali.
In December 2008, a Canadian diplomat, Robert Fowler, his assistant and their driver were taken hostage in Niger by al Qaeda operatives and were held until April.
