Heavy gunfire rocked parts of Niger’s capital overnight, forcing the national television station off air on Saturday.
Residents reported intense shooting and explosions near Air Base 101, close to the airport in Niamey. Witnesses described sustained gunfire that lasted from around 1am until daybreak, with some hearing more bursts later in the morning. Several noted the sounds of heavy weapons not typically used by small groups of militants on motorbikes.
Soldiers quickly blocked access to the presidential palace and the national TV station. By 9am, Tele Sahel had gone dark both on satellite and online, replaced by a black screen. The military urged people to stay calm and avoid sharing unverified information, adding that defence forces had been mobilised.
The cause of the shooting remains unclear. Niger has been under military rule for three years and has faced repeated attacks by rival jihadist groups linked to Islamic State and Al-Qaeda. The airport area, where the base is located, has been hit twice this year already.
