Heavy gunfire erupted across Niger’s capital, Niamey, on Saturday after armed elements reportedly attempted to gain access to the presidential palace.
A security source told AFP that the presidential guard had repelled what it described as “insurgents from within the armed forces”, with fighting continuing around the palace.
The overnight shooting was heard in several parts of Niamey, particularly in the city centre near the presidential compound. Gunfire was also reported around the airport, where a major military installation is located.
The situation remained unclear as authorities had yet to provide a detailed public account of the incident.
Niger’s national television service was temporarily knocked off air, with its signal returning at about 10am local time. The disruption followed reports of fighting around the administrative district where the presidential palace and state broadcaster are located.
Residents described an intense night of shooting.
One resident said he heard repeated bursts of gunfire from around 7am and saw a military vehicle travelling towards a military base before turning back.
“The weapons we’re hearing are not the kind that terrorists on motorbikes can carry,” the resident said, adding that the fighting had continued through the night.
Another resident in western Niamey reported hearing sporadic small-arms fire from about 5am.
Reports circulating on social media also referred to explosions and gunfire in the capital, although the accounts could not immediately be independently verified.
Videos posted online appeared to show armoured vehicles being deployed around the airport area, apparently as security forces reinforced key locations.
Niger under military rule
The reported confrontation comes three years after Niger’s military seized power, ending elected rule and establishing a junta that has struggled to contain a long-running jihadist insurgency.
Militant groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State have carried out attacks across parts of Niger for years, particularly in the country’s western and southeastern regions.
The reported fighting in Niamey, however, appeared to involve armed personnel from within the security forces rather than a conventional militant attack, according to the security source cited by AFP.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged attempted entry into the presidential palace, including the identity and motives of those involved, remained unclear.
Authorities had not publicly confirmed the scale of the fighting, whether there were casualties or whether the situation had been fully brought under control.
