rki.news
NIAMEY, June 18 — Continuous gunfire was reported near Diori Hamani International Airport in Niger’s capital Niamey in the early hours of Thursday, according to local residents who said the firing lasted for over an hour. The airport area also hosts Air Base 101 and other military installations linked to regional security structures under the Confederation of Sahel States.
Residents nearby said the gunfire appeared to originate from areas surrounding the airport complex, raising concern among local communities. No casualties have been reported so far, and authorities have not yet issued an official statement, leaving the situation unclear.
A correspondent on the ground observed that traffic on major roads in Niamey continued normally despite the reported incident. No unusual troop movements or visible security reinforcement were seen in the airport vicinity, and civilian movement appeared largely unaffected.
The operational status of the international airport has not been confirmed, and the cause of the gunfire remains unknown pending official clarification from Nigerien military or government authorities.
The airport area was previously targeted in an attack attributed to an extremist group in January, when Nigerien defense and security forces reported neutralizing attackers and arresting others. The security situation remains under observation.