Residents in Niamey, the capital of Niger, reported hearing heavy gunfire and explosions from overnight into Saturday morning. The disturbances were concentrated in specific areas of the city, including near the Diori Hamani International Airport and the Plateau administrative district, which houses the Presidential Palace and other key government institutions.
An Associated Press witness, who requested anonymity for safety, reported that sustained gunfire began shortly after midnight at the airport premises. This facility, which serves as a major military base, has experienced unrest on three separate occasions this year. Security forces were subsequently deployed to secure the airport and the Plateau district, while a major road leading into the city was closed to traffic.
The state broadcaster, RTN, interrupted its live transmission for several hours on Saturday morning before eventually resuming operations. In response to the unrest, the ruling military council—the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland—issued a statement on Facebook urging citizens to remain united and vigilant, stating that their security forces were mobilized for the defense of the country.
While the exact cause of the explosions and gunfire remained unclear, local lawmaker Bana Wagana Ibrahim described the incident as a “cowardly attack” and stated that the situation had been brought under control. The region has faced ongoing challenges with jihadi violence, which has also impacted neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali. The airport in Niamey is considered a strategic hub, serving as a base for the Nigerien air force and the headquarters of the joint military force between Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali.
