A daring nighttime assault on Niamey’s Diori Hamani International Airport has raised serious concerns about security at one of Niger’s most sensitive military-civilian sites.
The attack occurred shortly after midnight on January 29, targeting the airport’s military base (Base Aérienne 101). Reports indicate that assailants, believed to have approached on motorcycles with their lights off, aimed at drone facilities, air defense systems, and possibly commercial planes operated by regional airlines. Mortars, small arms, and drones were reportedly used in the assault.
Nigerien defense forces, with support from the Russian African Corps, managed to repel the attackers after fighting that lasted from 30 minutes to several hours. Officials said 20 assailants were killed, including an unverified claim of a French national, while 11 others were captured. Several motorcycles were seized. Four Nigerien soldiers were wounded, and there were no reported civilian casualties. Airport operations have now resumed under heightened security.
The base is strategically important, hosting the counterterrorism command for Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, advanced drone operations, and a uranium stockpile of roughly 1,000 tonnes assets that have become points of tension since Niger nationalized foreign holdings, including those of French company Orano.
Following the attack, junta leader General Abdourahamane Tiani accused France, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire of supporting the assailants, calling them “mercenaries” and warning of a strong response. He linked the incident to unverified claims regarding uranium transfers to Russia and commended Russian forces for helping defend the site.
No group has claimed responsibility, leaving the attackers’ identities uncertain. Analysts note some similarities with tactics used by the jihadist group JNIM in past attacks, but key differences suggest the situation is still unclear.
