Residents of Niamey, Niger’s capital, have reported hearing gunshots and explosions around a military base close to the city’s international airport.
The sounds were reportedly heard overnight into Saturday, with residents describing heavy gunfire around Base 101, located near the airport.
Witnesses also reported hearing explosions in other parts of the capital, including the administrative district where the presidential palace and national television station are located.
Videos circulating online appeared to show armoured vehicles moving into the area around the airport. However, the cause of the gunfire remains unclear, and Nigerien authorities had not issued an official statement at the time of reporting.
The development comes months after Niger’s international airport was attacked twice by jihadist groups.
The first attack occurred in January, when fighters linked to the Islamic State in the Sahel targeted the airport area. Authorities said 20 attackers were killed and four soldiers were wounded.
A second assault took place in June and was attributed to the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, known by its French acronym JNIM and linked to Al-Qaeda. Niger’s defence ministry said 11 soldiers and two civilians were killed, while 22 attackers were also reported dead.
Both attacks were repelled by Niger’s military.
Niger has faced persistent jihadist violence for about a decade, with armed groups also operating in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali.
The three countries are governed by military regimes that came to power through coups and have strengthened security and political ties with Russia after distancing themselves from Western partners.
The latest reports of gunfire have raised fresh concerns about security in Niamey, although the identity of those responsible and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain unknown.
