Gunfire erupts at Niamey airport as military repels attack

Thu Jun 18 2026 20:01:44 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Gunfire and explosions at Niamey's Diori Hamani airport on Thursday alarmed residents; army claims the assault was repelled after a two‑hour raid.

Early Thursday, gunfire and explosions near the entrance of Niamey’s Diori Hamani international airport shocked locals as the attack lasted about two hours. Residents say the shots began at 06:00 local time and were eventually halted by the Niger army. The incident follows a January assault that left four military personnel injured and 20 attackers killed. While the defence ministry has blamed external support from Russia, France, Benin and Ivory Coast, no group has claimed responsibility this time. Security forces are still pursuing the fleeing assailants and have intensified airport perimeter security.

Gunfire erupts at Niamey airport as military repels attack

Early Thursday, residents in the capital of Niger heard gunshots and explosions echoing from the entrance of Diori Hamani international airport, according to witnesses who told the BBC.

A mosque‑dweller recalled, "I heard the first gunshots at 06:00 local time (05:00 GMT). The situation is now under control," he said, though the assault had lasted for roughly two hours before security forces intervened.

The Niger army has claimed it repelled the attackers, now pursuing those who abandoned their weapons. The incident follows a January raid that left four soldiers injured and 20 insurgents killed, as reported by the defence ministry.

No organisation has taken responsibility yet; an affiliate of the Islamic State had been blamed for the earlier January attack. The junta’s president, Abdourahamane Tiani, has publicly thanked Russia for assistance while accusing France, Benin and Ivory Coast of indirectly supporting the assault, though no evidence has been provided.

In recent weeks, authorities have bulldozed neighbourhoods near the airport, citing "terrorist risks," and extended the perimeter fence, installing more than 350 surveillance cameras to curb future attacks.

For full context on the region’s security situation, see the January attack on Niamey airport.