Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Heavy gunfire and explosions shook parts of Niamey, the capital of Niger, overnight into Saturday, forcing the country’s national television station off the air and triggering a major security response.
The shooting was concentrated around Air Force Base 101 near Niamey’s international airport, a strategic military installation that has faced attacks twice this year from armed groups operating in the Sahel region.
As the situation unfolded, Tele Sahel, Niger’s national broadcaster, went off air, with its satellite and online services replaced by a black screen. Residents also reported the deployment of soldiers around key government facilities, including the presidential palace and the television station.
In a statement posted on its official social media platforms, the military urged calm among citizens.
“In light of current events, let us remain calm and avoid sharing unverified information.
“Our defence and security forces have been mobilised for the defence of the homeland,” the statement said.
Witnesses said the first gunshots were heard around 1:00 a.m. local time and continued until daybreak. Several residents described hearing sustained exchanges of fire and explosions near the military base.
One resident told AFP there was “heavy gunfire and explosions” at Base 101, while another said he heard “bursts of gunfire” around 7:00 a.m.
“The weapons we’re hearing are not the kind that terrorists on motorbikes can carry. The fighting has been non-stop since last night,” the resident said.
Videos circulating online showed armoured military vehicles moving toward areas close to the airport as security forces reinforced positions around the base.
Authorities had not disclosed the cause of the shooting as of Saturday morning, and no official casualty figures were immediately available.
The latest security incident comes amid persistent militant violence in Niger, where the military government has been battling attacks from rival extremist groups, including the Islamic State in the Sahel and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims.
Air Force Base 101 remains one of the country’s most sensitive military locations. The facility hosts the headquarters of the Russian Africa Corps contingent in Niger and serves as a command centre for the Alliance of Sahel States, a regional security bloc comprising Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.
Niger has been under military rule since July 2023 and continues to face security challenges linked to insurgent activities across the wider Sahel region.
