Niger Palace Attack Foiled as Gunfire Rocks Niamey

Niger’s presidential guard has thwarted an attempt by “insurgents from within the armed forces” to gain access to the presidential palace in Niamey, with heavy gunfire reported across parts of the capital, a security source told AFP on Saturday.

The city was rocked by sustained shooting overnight, particularly in central Niamey, close to the presidential palace.

Residents also reported gunfire around the airport, where a major military installation is located.

The country’s national television service was temporarily taken off the air following the overnight violence. The state television signal was restored at approximately 10:00 am local time (0900 GMT), after being interrupted for just over an hour.

One resident said he heard “bursts of gunfire” around 7:00 am.

“I went to get credit for my phone. I saw a military vehicle heading towards the base that had to turn back,” he said.

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

A second resident in the western part of Niamey said he heard sporadic small-arms fire at about 5:00 am.

Meanwhile, social media users posted reports of explosions and shooting in different parts of the capital, particularly around the administrative district that houses both the presidential palace and the national television station.

Online videos appeared to show armoured vehicles moving into the area near the airport as security forces reinforced the neighbourhood.

Niger has been governed by a military junta for three years, during which authorities have struggled to curb jihadist attacks that have affected the country for approximately a decade.

Africans Angle News