Residents reported hearing explosions and gunfire early Thursday at the airport in Niamey, Niger’s capital, according to the BBC. “I heard the first gunshots at 06:00 local time (05:00 GMT) while I was at the mosque. But the current situation is under control,” one person said. The gunfire, lasting for two hours, originated from the entrance of Diori Hamani International Airport, a witness told the AFP news agency.
Niger has been battling an Islamist insurgency for a decade, and in January, suspected jihadists attacked the same airport. Residents reported to the BBC that Thursday’s attack was repelled by the army, which is now pursuing the fleeing assailants who reportedly left their weapons behind. The authorities have not yet commented, and no group has claimed responsibility. However, an affiliate of the Islamic State group stated it executed the January assault.
Niger’s defense ministry stated that “four military personnel were injured and 20 attackers were killed” in the attack that occurred in January. At that time, the leader of Niger’s military government, which had been in power for three years, expressed gratitude to Russia for its assistance in thwarting the attack. Abdourahamane Tiani also accused the presidents of France, Benin, and Ivory Coast of supporting those who were responsible for the incident.
He did not provide details about the assistance Russia offered, nor did he present any evidence to back his claims against the other countries. Recently, authorities in Niger have demolished neighborhoods near the airport due to “terrorist risks.” They have also enlarged the airport’s perimeter fence and installed over “350 surveillance cameras,” according to AFP reports.
