By Zagazola Makama
Heavy gunfire and explosions rocked Niger’s capital, Niamey, from the early hours of Saturday, with intense clashes reportedly continuing around the Diori Hammani International Airport, the 101 Airbase and areas around the Presidential Palace.
The situation, according to security reports monitored by Zagazola, began at about 0230 hours local time and continued until around 0600 hours, although tension remained high in several parts of the capital thereafter.
Mortar fire and explosions were reportedly heard in the vicinity of the Presidential Palace, while electricity was cut in parts of the city. Security forces were also said to have blocked access routes leading to the Presidential Palace and the International Airport as they responded to the incident.
Reports indicated that reinforcements from Operation ALMAHAOU moved into Niamey from the direction of Ouallam, while other security formations were mobilised within the capital.
The most intense exchanges were reportedly concentrated around the 101 Airbase and the International Airport, both strategically important military and aviation facilities.
Conflicting accounts
The exact nature of the incident remained unclear as of Saturday, with conflicting accounts circulating on social media and among local sources. Some reports described the incident as a possible terrorist attack, while others suggested an internal military confrontation involving junior soldiers.
There were also unverified claims that the incident could represent an attempted counter-coup against the military authorities governing Niger under the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP).
However, there was no independent confirmation that a coup or counter-coup had taken place.
Major international and regional news organisations had not, at the time of filing, independently corroborated claims of a military takeover or an organised attempt to overthrow the CNSP. Similarly, Nigerien authorities had yet to issue an official statement establishing the cause of the fighting, identifying those involved or providing casualty figures.
A prominent Hausa-language broadcaster in Niger, Mu Duba Mu Gani, however, reported that the incident was not a terrorist attack but an uprising involving young members of Niger’s Defence and Security Forces (FDS).
In a commentary circulated on social media, the broadcaster claimed that the young soldiers had rebelled against what they described as worsening insecurity, corruption, nepotism and poor treatment of Nigeriens under the CNSP administration.
According to the account, the soldiers were allegedly demanding changes in the way the country was being governed and had moved into parts of Niamey, resulting in heavy fighting.
The broadcaster further questioned whether the development could mark the beginning of the end of the CNSP’s rule, while acknowledging that it remained unclear whether the alleged mutineers had taken control of any strategic locations.
The claims, however, could not be independently verified by Zagazola News.
Strategic locations under security lockdown
The reported closure of routes around the Presidential Palace and Diori Hammani International Airport suggests that security forces were treating the incident as a major threat to strategic national installations.
The movement of reinforcements from Ouallam into Niamey also points to a significant mobilisation by the authorities to contain the situation. The reported fighting around the 101 Airbase is particularly significant because the area forms part of the capital’s broader military-security infrastructure and has previously featured in Niger’s counter-terrorism operations.
The airport area has also previously come under attack amid the worsening jihadist insurgency affecting Niger and the wider Sahel.
Niger facing mounting security pressure