AFP, Niamey

Security forces were deployed around the international airport in Niger’s capital yesterday after heavy gunfire and explosions erupted overnight in what several observers said bore the hallmark of a jihadist attack.

Niger, a Sahelian country regularly hit by jihadist violence, has been led for more than two years by Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of a junta that overthrew the elected civilian president in 2023.

The shooting began shortly after midnight, according to residents of a neighbourhood near the airport in Niamey.

Calm returned two hours later, they told AFP.

Videos filmed by local people showed streaks of light in the sky with the sound of loud explosions, while other images showed flames several metres high and charred cars. The capital’s Diori Hamani International Airport houses an air force base and is located 10 kilometres from the presidential palace.

A heavy security deployment was seen early yesterday in the area of the airport, where police and soldiers controlled access, especially to the military base, and an armoured vehicle was stationed, an AFP journalist saw.

It was not immediately clear what had caused the gunfire and whether there were any casualties.

Residents recounted their nighttime “fear” including from “roofs that were shaking”, as people in the capital went about their normal business early yesterday.