Panic as Gunshots, Explosions Ring Out at Niger Republic Airport, Presidential Palace

Gunfire and explosions were heard in several parts of Niamey, Niger Republic’s capital, early Saturday as attackers targeted the city’s Diori Hamani International Airport.

The airport houses an air force base, a major military installation, and is located about 10km from the presidential palace.

Bana Wagana Ibrahim, a member of Niger’s Bureau of the Consultative Council and a deputy in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) parliament, confirmed the attack in a Facebook post.

“Another cowardly attack on Base 101 and once again our defence and security forces ensured … Situation under control,” Ibrahim wrote.

It is not immediately clear who carried out the attack or whether there were casualties. However, a security source cited by Reuters said “terrorists” attempted to breach the security perimeter around the presidency.

Nigerien authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The attack comes barely two months after gunmen attacked Diori Hamani International Airport in June, killing 11 members of the security forces and two civilians.

Twenty-two attackers were also killed in the June assault, while 20 suspects were arrested and weapons and ammunition recovered, authorities said.

The airport was also attacked in January, and the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.

Niger has been under military rule since July 2023, when Abdourahamane Tchiani led the coup that ousted former President Mohamed Bazoum.

Since the coup, the country has moved away from traditional Western allies and strengthened ties with Russia, alongside neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, which are also ruled by military governments.