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Intense explosions and sustained gunfire were reported in the early hours of Thursday near Niamey’s international airport, according to Reuters.
The gunfire, which began nearly an hour earlier, continued past 00:12 GMT, as confirmed by the journalist on the ground.
A video shared on X (formerly Twitter) captured the capital’s skyline illuminated by muzzle flashes, though Reuters could not independently verify its authenticity.
A spokesperson for Niger’s military government, which came to power in 2023 following a coup, remained unavailable for comment at the time of reporting.
Regional instability fuels ongoing security crisis
Niger, like its neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso, faces relentless armed insurgencies led by jihadist factions affiliated with Al Qaïda and the Islamic State.
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