Heavy gunfire and explosions rocked Niamey, Niger Republic, on Saturday as soldiers reportedly clashed with members of the presidential guard following an alleged attempt to enter the presidential palace.
A security source told AFP that elements of the armed forces tried to gain access to the palace but were repelled by troops guarding President Abdourahamane Tiani.
“There was an attempt by insurgents from the Nigerien armed forces to enter the presidential palace,” the source said, adding that exchanges of gunfire continued around the facility.
An African diplomat in Niamey said the presidential guard remained loyal to Tiani, who has ruled the country since taking power in a 2023 military coup.
The military authorities said they were gradually restoring control after mutineers reportedly took soldiers hostage at a military base close to Diori Hamani International Airport.
Defence Minister General Salifou Mody, in a statement broadcast on national television, appealed for calm and urged residents to continue their normal activities.
The authorities had earlier warned residents against spreading unverified information as security forces were deployed across the capital.
Residents reported prolonged shooting and explosions around Air Force Base 101, located within the airport complex. Some witnesses said the intensity of the fighting suggested that heavy weapons were being used.
Access to the presidential palace and national television station was reportedly blocked by soldiers, while armoured vehicles were seen moving around areas near the airport.
National television, Tele Sahel, also briefly went off air before resuming transmission around 10 a.m. local time.
The reported internal security confrontation comes amid persistent jihadist attacks in Niger.
Diori Hamani International Airport has already come under attack twice this year. Islamic State-linked militants attacked the facility in January, while another assault in June was attributed to the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM).
Authorities said the January attack left 20 attackers dead and four soldiers wounded. In June, at least 11 soldiers and two civilians were killed, while 22 attackers were reportedly eliminated.
Niger has been under military rule since July 2023, when Tiani ousted former President Mohamed Bazoum.
The junta has since distanced Niger from Western partners, including France, and strengthened relations with Russia.
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have also withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and established closer security cooperation through the Alliance of Sahel States.
Air Force Base 101, where the latest fighting was reported, is considered a strategic military site. It houses the headquarters of Niger’s Russian Africa Corps partners and the command structure of the joint force operated by Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
As of the latest reports, authorities had not disclosed the number of casualties or confirmed the identity of those behind the reported mutiny.
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