Security alert in Niger’s capital amid gunfire near airport

Earlier today, Niamey, the capital of Niger, experienced a sudden outbreak of gunfire and explosions near its international airport, according to a Reuters correspondent on-site.

The intense gunfire, which began nearly an hour prior, was still ongoing as of 00:12 GMT, the journalist confirmed. A video shared on X (formerly Twitter) depicted the city’s sky lit up by gunshots, though Reuters has yet to verify the footage independently.

A spokesperson for Niger’s military government, which seized power in a 2023 coup, could not be reached for immediate comment regarding the incident.

Niger faces persistent security threats from armed jihadist groups affiliated with both Al Qaeda and the Islamic State, mirroring challenges faced by neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso.