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Sustained gunfire and explosions rent the air across several areas in Niamey, Niger Republic’s capital early Saturday with the Diori Hamani International Airport a focal point of attack, Reuters reports.
The airport located about 10km to the presidential palace is home to a major air force base.
The attack is the third to hit the city this year, as tensions continue to fester under the military government that took power in a 2023 coup.
Confirming the incident on Facebook, Bana Wagana Ibrahim, a member of Niger’s Bureau of the Consultative Council and a deputy in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) parliament, said the attack on a major military installation in the country had been brought under control.
Ibrahim said, “Another cowardly attack on Base 101 and once again our defence and security forces ensured … Situation under control.”
A security source said terrorists had attacked the airport and attempted to breach the security perimetre around the presidential palace.
The latest attack comes barely two months after gunmen attacked Diori Hamani International Airport in June, killing 11 members of the security forces and two civilians.
Twenty two attackers lost their lives in the incident.
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for a January attack on the airport.
Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani remains in charge since a July 2023 coup ousted former President Mohamed Bazoum.
