Security alert: gunfire and explosions rock Niamey

Intense gunfire and multiple explosions shook the early hours of Thursday near Niamey’s main airport, according to eyewitness accounts and a Reuters journalist on the ground.

Witnesses reported that sporadic gunfire erupted roughly an hour before midnight GMT, escalating into sustained bursts that persisted until at least 00:12 GMT. A video shared on X (formerly Twitter) captured the chaotic scene, showing the night sky over the capital lit up by muzzle flashes and artillery fire. However, Reuters could not independently verify the footage.

Efforts to reach a spokesperson for Niger’s military-led government—installed following a 2023 coup—were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. Government officials have yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.

The unrest comes as the broader Sahel region grapples with a persistent jihadist insurgency. Groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State have carried out attacks across neighboring Mali, Burkina Faso, and other Sahel nations, raising concerns about regional stability.