Heavy gunfire and explosions were reported in Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic, early Saturday, with soldiers deployed around key government facilities and the national television station going off air.
The shooting reportedly occurred in several parts of the capital, including the area around Air Force Base 101, located near Diori Hamani International Airport.
The development has raised concerns in the West African country, which has been under military rule since a coup in July 2023 and continues to face attacks from jihadist groups operating across the Sahel.
The exact cause of Saturday’s gunfire was not immediately known.
Niger’s military authorities, in a statement posted on official social media platforms, urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information.
“In light of current events, let us remain calm and avoid sharing unverified information,” the military said.
It added that defence and security forces had been mobilised to protect the country.
Heavy shooting reported around military base
Residents told AFP that they heard heavy gunfire and explosions around Base 101, while several witnesses reported similar sounds in different parts of Niamey.
According to one resident, the gunfire began at about 1:00 am local time and continued until daybreak.
Another resident reported hearing bursts of gunfire around 7:00 am.
The resident said he saw a military vehicle moving towards the base but later turning back.“The weapons we’re hearing are not the kind that terrorists on motorbikes can carry.
The fighting has been non-stop since last night,” the resident reportedly said.Another resident in western Niamey said he heard sporadic small-arms fire around 5:00 am.Videos shared online also showed armoured military vehicles being deployed around areas close to the airport.
Niger national television goes off air
By about 9:00 am local time, Tele Sahel, Niger’s national television station, was reportedly no longer broadcasting.A black screen had replaced its normal programming on both satellite television and its online platform.
Residents also reported that soldiers had blocked access to the presidential palace and the national television station.The reports came amid widespread speculation on social media about the cause of the incident, although authorities had yet to provide a detailed explanation.
Niamey airport has faced jihadist attacks
The latest incident comes months after Niger’s main airport was targeted by jihadist groups.Niamey airport was attacked in January by the Islamic State in the Sahel, while another assault was launched in June by the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, known by its French acronym JNIM and linked to Al-Qaeda.Nigerian authorities said 20 attackers were killed and four soldiers wounded during the January attack.
In June, the country’s defence ministry reported that at least 11 soldiers and two civilians were killed, alongside 22 attackers. The military said both attacks were repelled.Niger has struggled with jihadist violence for about a decade, with militant groups operating across its borders with Burkina Faso and Mali.Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso strengthen military allianceNiger, Burkina Faso and Mali are all currently ruled by military governments and have strengthened their security and political cooperation through the Alliance of Sahel States.
The three countries have also withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States and moved away from traditional Western security partners, including France, while developing closer relations with Russia.Air Force Base 101, located within the international airport complex in Niamey, is considered a strategically important military facility.
The base hosts Russian Africa Corps personnel and serves as a command location for the unified force of the Alliance of Sahel States.As of Saturday morning, authorities had not publicly provided a detailed account of what triggered the overnight gunfire or confirmed whether the incident was linked to jihadist activity or another security situation.
