- Heavy gunfire and explosions reported near the airport
- Shooting started shortly after midnight, lasted two hours
- Airport hosts Niger Air Force and joint Sahel force
- Authorities yet to confirm what triggered the incident
A burst of heavy gunfire and loud explosions rattled areas around Niamey International Airport in the early hours of Thursday, triggering fear among residents in Niger’s capital, as security tensions remain high under the country’s military-led government.
Residents living close to Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey said they were jolted awake shortly after midnight by sustained gunfire and repeated explosions.
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Videos shared online showed bright flashes cutting through the night sky, accompanied by loud blasts. Other footage revealed burning vehicles, thick smoke, and flames rising several metres into the air near the airport perimeter.
The international airport, located about 10 kilometres from the presidential palace, also houses an air force base and serves as the headquarters of a joint military force involving Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali.
“The shooting started suddenly and didn’t stop for a long time,” one resident told AFP. “We were scared and stayed indoors.”
According to witnesses, calm gradually returned about two hours later, though sirens from fire trucks heading toward the airport could still be heard in the early morning.
As of the time of reporting, Nigerian authorities had not confirmed the cause of the incident, nor whether there were casualties.
An online activist known for supporting Niger’s military rulers, Ibrahim Bana, posted a video on Facebook urging citizens to take to the streets to “defend the country,” further raising tension across the capital.
Niger has been under military rule since 2023, following a coup led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, who overthrew the country’s elected civilian government.
The country continues to face persistent jihadist violence, despite the expulsion of French and US troops previously stationed to support counterterrorism efforts.
According to conflict monitoring group ACLED, nearly 2,000 people were killed by jihadist attacks in Niger in 2025 alone, highlighting the worsening security crisis.
Meanwhile, a large uranium shipment with an undisclosed buyer has reportedly remained stranded at the Niamey airport for weeks, adding to speculation surrounding the area’s strategic importance.
