Niamey — A large-scale armed attack targeted the Niamey airport area late Tuesday, involving light and heavy weapons as well as suicide drones, according to a well-informed source in the Nigerien capital.
The source said the modus operandi bore the hallmarks of the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims. However, a separate source described as very close to jihadist groups said the attack was carried out by the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, highlighting uncertainty over responsibility.
According to a source present in the area, heavy gunfire was heard across Niamey starting at around 23:15 GMT and continued until approximately 02:00, with fighting described as intense and sustained. Multiple local contacts, including an army officer, confirmed hearing the clashes.
The airport zone is considered one of the most sensitive areas in Niger. It hosts the counter-terrorism coordination centre of the AES alliance, as well as uranium stocks transferred by Niger from Agadez to Niamey for potential sale on international markets. The transfer had previously drawn warnings from the World Bank over the need to respect existing sovereign agreements with France.
Video footage obtained from a source close to the military appears to show Nigerien army forces arresting one of the suspected attackers.
Nigerien authorities have so far issued no official explanation of the incident. A military source close to the presidency said the situation was “under control” but declined to provide further details, ending the call abruptly.
In the absence of an official account, some local sources suggested the incident could be linked to an internal coup attempt, while others said it was a major jihadist assault targeting an army barracks near the airport.
