Explosions, gunfire rock Niger’s capital Niamey, airport amid attempted government takeover

Sustained gunfire and explosions have been reported in several parts of Niger’s capital, Niamey, in what security sources described as an attack targeting a military base, the international airport and the area around the presidential palace.

Witnesses told Reuters that heavy gunfire was heard early Saturday, particularly around Diori Hamani International Airport and Base 101, a major military installation in the city.

A source said, “terrorists” had attacked the airport and attempted to breach the security perimeter around the presidency.

Bana Wagana Ibrahim, a member of Niger’s Bureau of the Consultative Council and a deputy in the Alliance of Sahel States parliament, said the attackers had targeted Base 101 but that security forces had regained control.

He wrote on Facebook: “Another cowardly attack on Base 101 and once again our defence and security forces ensured situation under control.”

A Nigerian currently living in Niamey Safiyanu Muhammad told DAILY POST that he had heard the gunshots and explosions near presidential palace around 1:30am on Saturday.
“Gunfire and explosions has been ongoing for over 30 minutes near the Nigerien Presidential Palace, I heard it, it started after 1 am, lasted about 2 to 3 hours, we don’t now what happened, now we are all in panic.”

Another security source said troops had launched search operations and that some attackers had been “neutralised”, while others fled the area.

Witnesses also reported that gunfire resumed near the international airport at about 2:13 a.m. GMT, while videos circulating online showed armoured vehicles deployed around the airport neighbourhood.

Niger has been under military rule since a July 2023 coup that removed President Mohamed Bazoum.

The government, led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, has strengthened relations with Russia and joined Mali and Burkina Faso in the Alliance of Sahel States, after distancing itself from the regional ECOWAS bloc.