Shots were heard around the city\u2019s Diori Hamani international airport and near the presidential palace.<\/p>\n
Published On 29 Aug 202629 Aug 2026<\/p>\n
Sustained gunfire and explosions rang out across several areas of Niger\u2019s capital, Niamey, according to two Reuters witnesses, with the cause not immediately clear.<\/p>\n
The incident early on Saturday is the third time the city, and specifically a complex housing the international airport and a military airbase, has experienced major unrest this year, underscoring persistent insecurity under the military-led government that seized power in a coup in 2023 and vowed to restore order.<\/p>\n
A security source told Reuters that \u201cterrorists\u201d had attacked the city\u2019s Diori Hamani international airport and attempted to breach the security perimeter around the presidential palace.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is heavy gunfire and explosions at Base 101 in Niamey,\u201d one local resident told AFP, a report confirmed by several other witnesses, and referring to a major military installation in Niamey.<\/p>\n
Bana Wagana Ibrahim, a member of Niger\u2019s Bureau of the Consultative Council and a deputy \u2060in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) parliament, said on Facebook that attackers had targeted Base 101 but that security forces had regained control.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnother cowardly attack on Base 101 and once again our defence and security forces ensured\u2026 Situation under control,\u201d Ibrahim wrote.<\/p>\n
Reuters news agency could not immediately verify the claims made by the security source and Ibrahim.<\/p>\n
A second security source told Reuters that security forces had launched search operations and that the attackers had been \u201cneutralised\u201d, with others fleeing.<\/p>\n
The second witness said the gunfire had been heavy and persistent around the presidential palace.<\/p>\n
Videos online showed armoured vehicles deployed to reinforce the neighbourhood near the airport.<\/p>\n
Niger\u2019s national television station was also cut off following the overnight gunfire in Niamey, local residents told AFP.<\/p>\n
At 08:00 GMT, a black screen had replaced Tele Sahel\u2019s programming both via satellite and online. Soldiers blocked access to the presidential palace and the national television headquarters, residents added.<\/p>\n
The Nigerien military urged people to remain calm and avoid sharing unverified information, saying its defence and security forces had been mobilised.<\/p>\n