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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

Heavy gunfire rocks Niger capital, TV station off air

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Heavy gunfire and explosions were reported in Niger's capital, Niamey, with the national television station going off air.
  • The military urged citizens to remain calm and stated that defense forces are mobilized, while residents described intense fighting near a military base.
  • The incident occurred amidst ongoing struggles by the ruling military junta to contain jihadist violence that has plagued the country for years.

Niger's capital, Niamey, was gripped by heavy gunfire and explosions overnight, leading to the national television station, Tele Sahel, going off air on Saturday. The disturbances were concentrated in parts of the city, including areas around Base 101, a military installation near the airport that has been targeted by jihadists twice this year.

The origins of the shooting remained unclear, but Niger's military acknowledged "current events" and urged citizens to "remain calm and avoid sharing unverified information." In a statement on social media, they assured that "Our defence and security forces have been mobilised for the defence of the homeland."

In light of current events, let us remain calm and avoid sharing unverified information. Our defence and security forces have been mobilised for the defence of the homeland.

— Niger MilitaryAddressing the public during the overnight gunfire and explosions.

Residents described intense sounds of gunfire and explosions. One local reported hearing "heavy gunfire and explosions" at Base 101, a sentiment echoed by multiple witnesses. By 9:00 AM, Tele Sahel's programming was unavailable via satellite and online. Residents also reported that soldiers had blocked access to the presidential palace and the national television station.

The gunfire began around 1:00 AM local time and continued intermittently until daybreak. Some heard sporadic small arms fire later in the morning. Videos circulating online showed armored vehicles deployed in the neighborhood near the airport. This unrest occurs as Niger, ruled by a military junta for three years, continues to grapple with persistent jihadist violence that has destabilized the West African nation for about a decade. Rival jihadist groups, including the Islamic State in the Sahel and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (Al-Qaeda's Sahel branch), have targeted both civilians and the military, while also vying for dominance in the region.

The weapons we’re hearing are not the kind that terrorists on motorbikes can carry. The fighting has been non-stop since last night.

— Local ResidentDescribing the intensity and nature of the gunfire heard in Niamey.
About this summary

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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