Sustained gunfire and loud explosions were heard early on Thursday near Niamey International Airport in Niger, raising fresh concerns over security in the West African nation, according to a witness.
The heavy gunfire began nearly an hour before midnight GMT and was still ongoing at around 0012 GMT, the witness said. The source described repeated bursts of automatic weapons fire accompanied by loud blasts, suggesting a serious security incident in the vicinity of the airport, which lies close to several military installations.
A video circulating on social media platform X appeared to show Niamey’s night skyline intermittently lit up by gunfire, with tracer rounds visible in the darkness. However, The Asia Live has not independently verified the authenticity of the footage, and the exact nature of the incident remains unclear.
There was no immediate official explanation for the gunfire. A spokesperson for Niger’s military government, which seized power in a coup in July 2023, was not immediately available to comment. Local authorities had also not issued public advisories or confirmed whether the incident was linked to a militant attack, an internal security operation, or military exercises.
Niamey has generally remained calmer than other parts of Niger since the coup, but the country continues to face persistent security threats. Niger, along with its Sahelian neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, has struggled for more than a decade to contain insurgencies by jihadist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State. These groups have carried out frequent attacks on military bases, security forces, and civilians, particularly in rural and border regions.
The conflict across the central Sahel has killed thousands of people and displaced millions, creating one of the world’s fastest-growing humanitarian crises. Despite repeated changes in government and shifts in international alliances, security conditions in large parts of the region have continued to deteriorate.
Following the 2023 coup, Niger’s military rulers expelled French forces and deepened security cooperation with Russia, mirroring similar moves by the juntas in Mali and Burkina Faso. The three countries have also withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), accusing the bloc of political interference.
As of early Thursday, it remained unclear whether flights at Niamey International Airport were affected or whether there were any casualties or damage. Residents near the airport reported staying indoors as the sounds of gunfire echoed across parts of the capital.
