/ Sep 29, 2026
/ Sep 29, 2026

Panic as gunfire erupts at Niger Republic airport amid security fears

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A wave of panic swept through Niger Republic’s capital on Thursday after gunfire erupted near the entrance of the country’s main international airport in Niamey.

 

According to AFP, residents reported hearing sustained gunfire from around 6:00 a.m. local time near the entrance of Diori Hamani International Airport, raising fresh concerns about security in the military-ruled West African nation.

One resident told AFP by telephone that the shooting appeared to be coming from the airport’s entrance checkpoint and was still ongoing two hours after it began. Other witnesses also confirmed hearing gunfire from the same area.

The incident comes just five months after a major attack on the airport and a nearby military drone base. In January 2026, militants linked to the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS) launched a surprise assault on the facility. Nigerien security forces and their Russian allies repelled the attack, with authorities reporting that 20 attackers were killed while four soldiers were wounded.

Following that assault, Niger’s junta leader, Abdourahamane Tiani, acknowledged that weaknesses in security arrangements had contributed to the breach. He said the attackers’ objective was to destroy the military’s air assets.

Residents on Thursday reported a heavy military presence around the airport area as security forces responded to the latest incident. However, authorities had not immediately provided details on the cause of the gunfire or whether there were casualties.

In recent weeks, Nigerien authorities have intensified security measures around the airport. Thousands of homes built near the facility have been demolished after officials alleged that jihadist groups had infiltrated nearby settlements. According to authorities, about 26,000 people living in four neighbourhoods were affected by the operation.

Security upgrades have also included extending the airport’s perimeter fence and installing more than 350 surveillance cameras inside and around the airport grounds.

Niger, alongside neighbouring military-led states Burkina Faso and Mali, continues to face persistent jihadist violence across the Sahel region. The three countries have increasingly distanced themselves from France and strengthened security partnerships with countries including Russia, Turkey and Iran.

AFP reported that no official statement had been issued at the time of publication regarding the circumstances surrounding Thursday’s gunfire.

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