Heavy gunfire and explosions erupted in the early hours of Thursday near Diori Hamani International Airport in Niger’s capital, Niamey, triggering panic among residents before calm returned hours later.

Residents told AFP that the shooting started shortly after midnight, with loud explosions lighting up the sky around the airport area.

Videos shared online showed streaks of light, intense blasts, flames rising several metres high and burnt vehicles near the scene.

The airport, located about 10 kilometres from the presidential palace, also houses an air force base, raising security concerns in the capital.

Residents said the gunfire lasted for about two hours before the situation eased. The cause of the incident and whether there were casualties remained unclear as of Thursday morning.

Sirens from fire trucks heading toward the airport were heard during the incident, according to eyewitnesses.

Niger has faced repeated security challenges linked to extremist attacks, and has been under military rule since General Abdourahamane Tiani led a coup that ousted the elected civilian government in 2023.

The airport also serves as the headquarters of a joint military force formed by Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali to fight extremist groups operating across the Sahel.

Since taking power, Niger’s military rulers have expelled French and US forces, previously deployed to help counter insurgency in the region.

Niger and its junta-led neighbours have since formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and announced plans for a 5,000-strong joint force.

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