BREAKING: Heavy Gunshots, Explosions Rock Nigerien Presidential Villa Amid Fresh Coup Rumours

Heavy gunshots and explosions were heard across parts of Niamey, Niger’s capital, in the early hours of Saturday, with reports indicating intense shooting around a strategic military base near the city’s international airport.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remained unclear as of Saturday morning, with Nigerien authorities yet to issue an official statement confirming what happened or identifying those responsible.

A resident who spoke to AFP reported hearing sustained gunfire and explosions around Air Force Base 101, which is located within the airport complex.

Other residents also reported hearing the explosions and gunshots, with the first sounds of shooting reportedly beginning at around 1am local time and continuing intermittently until daybreak.

Video footage shared by a local journalist showed increased military activity around the airport area during the early morning hours.

Another resident in western Niamey said sporadic small-arms fire was heard at approximately 5am.

Unverified reports circulating on social media also suggested that gunfire and explosions were heard in other parts of the capital, including the administrative district where the presidential palace and national television station are located.

Videos circulating online appeared to show armoured vehicles being deployed around neighbourhoods close to the airport.

Strategic Military Base at Centre of Incident

Air Force Base 101 is regarded as a highly sensitive military installation because of its location within Niamey’s international airport complex.

The facility also houses personnel from Russia’s Africa Corps, as well as the command of the joint force established by the Alliance of Sahel States, comprising Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.

The reported shooting comes months after Niger’s international airport was targeted in two separate attacks by jihadist groups.

The Islamic State in the Sahel claimed responsibility for an attack on the airport in January, while the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked group operating in the Sahel, carried out another assault in June.

The two jihadist organisations are rivals competing for influence across the Sahel but have both carried out attacks against civilians and government forces.

Following the January attack, Nigerien authorities said 20 attackers had been killed while four soldiers were wounded. In June, the country’s Defence Ministry said at least 11 soldiers and two civilians were killed, while 22 attackers were also killed.

The military said both attacks were repelled.

Niger Under Military Rule Since 2023 Coup

Niger has been ruled by a military junta headed by General Abdourahamane Tiani since the July 2023 coup that removed democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum from office.

The junta has faced persistent security challenges as jihadist violence continues to affect large parts of the country.

After the January attack on the airport, Tiani acknowledged security weaknesses that had allowed the militants to penetrate the area, saying the attackers had intended to destroy Niger’s military air capabilities.

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso Strengthen Russia Ties

The latest incident comes against the backdrop of major geopolitical changes in the Sahel.

Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali have all experienced military takeovers in recent years and have subsequently distanced themselves from traditional Western security partners, particularly France.

The three countries have also withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and strengthened their political and military cooperation with Russia.

Despite the change in security partnerships, however, jihadist groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda continue to operate across the region.

The latest gunfire in Niamey has therefore raised fresh concerns about security in Niger’s capital, particularly around sensitive military and government installations.

As of the latest reports, Nigerien authorities had not officially confirmed the cause of the shooting, the identity of those responsible, or whether there were casualties.