Sustained heavy gunfire and loud explosions echoed through parts of Niger's capital early Thursday, January 29, 2026, near the Diori Hamani International Airport, according to multiple residents and media reports.
The intense shooting and blasts began shortly after midnight local time, startling neighborhoods adjacent to the airport. Witnesses described tracer rounds lighting up the night sky, accompanied by powerful detonations. Resident-filmed videos captured streaks of light streaking overhead, booming explosions, towering flames several meters high, and vehicles left charred and smoldering.
The unrest lasted approximately two hours before relative calm returned to the area around 2 a.m. The Diori Hamani International Airport, which also hosts a military airbase, is situated roughly 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) from the presidential palace, making it a strategically sensitive location under heavy security.
As of early Thursday morning, no official statement had been issued by Niger's military government or authorities explaining the cause of the incident. It remained unclear whether the gunfire stemmed from an attack, an internal military operation, or another event, and there were no immediate confirmed reports of casualties.
Social media footage from the scene showed panicked scenes, though much of it has yet to be independently verified by major outlets. Reuters witnesses and AFP reports confirmed the sustained nature of the gunfire and blasts in the vicinity.
The incident comes amid ongoing security challenges in Niger following the 2023 military coup, though no direct link has been established. Authorities have not yet commented on the situation.
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