Heavy gunfire and loud explosions were heard near Niger’s main international airport in the early hours of Thursday, alarming residents in the capital Niamey and raising fresh questions about security under the country’s military rule.
The incident happened shortly after midnight near Diori Hamani International Airport, around 10 kilometres from the presidential palace.
While officials later said the situation was “under control”, authorities have not confirmed what caused the blasts or whether anyone was hurt.
The Niger capital gunfire matters because the airport hosts a major air force base and sits at the centre of ongoing diplomatic and security tensions involving France, uranium exports and militant violence in the Sahel.
What exactly happened near Niamey airport?
Residents living close to Diori Hamani International Airport reported sustained gunfire and several loud explosions lasting nearly two hours.
According to eyewitness videos shared online, air defence systems appeared to fire into the night sky, suggesting authorities may have been responding to an aerial threat.
🔴NIGER 🇳🇪| Heavy gunfire and explosions reported in the capital, near the airport overnight of Thursday 01/29. A passenger flight from #Algiers to #Niamey was thus diverted to #Burkina_Faso on Thursday night. As a reminder, a shipment of uranium is stored at the airport. pic.twitter.com/c929RyDvwH
— Nanana365 (@nanana365media) January 29, 2026
The AFP news agency quoted locals saying calm returned by around 2am local time. No flights were officially cancelled, and airport operations reportedly resumed as normal later in the morning.
Who is in control of Niger right now?
Niger is currently ruled by a military government led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, who seized power in a coup in July 2023.
The takeover removed the country’s elected civilian president and led to sanctions and strained relations with Western allies, including France.
Since the coup, the junta has tightened control over state institutions and nationalised key assets, including uranium mines previously operated by French-linked firms.
Could the gunfire be linked to Niger’s uranium shipment?
One senior official suggested the incident might be connected to a disputed uranium shipment currently held at the airport.
The shipment left northern Niger in late November but has remained stuck due to legal and diplomatic disagreements with France following the nationalisation.
An official from the Foreign Affairs Ministry told Anadolu Agency: “The situation is under control. There is no need to worry.”
The same source said investigations were ongoing to determine whether the Niger capital gunfire in the Nigerian capital had any link to the uranium cargo. No evidence has yet been provided publicly.
Are jihadist attacks a possible factor?
Niger, like neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, faces regular attacks from jihadist groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda.
These groups have targeted military bases, airports and civilian areas across the Sahel region over the past five years.
While no group has claimed responsibility, analysts say the use of air defence systems suggests authorities treated the incident as a serious security threat rather than routine unrest.
How have people in Niamey reacted?
Social media users in Niger shared shaky videos and audio recordings of explosions overnight. Some posts expressed fear, while others criticised the lack of clear information from authorities.
Why does this matter for the UK and Europe?
Nigeria supplies a significant share of the uranium used in European nuclear power, particularly in France. Any disruption at Niamey airport or escalation in security threats could affect supply chains, energy markets and regional stability.
For the UK, the incident adds to concerns about instability in the Sahel, migration pressures and the safety of international air routes across West Africa.
