Heavy gunfire in Nigerien capital, Niamey

Heavy gunfire and explosions were heard overnight into Saturday morning in Niger's capital, Niamey. The violence occurred near the main airport, a major military base, and the area housing the presidential palace. According to the Associated Press, sustained gunfire began past midnight at the premises of the Diori Hamani International Airport, which hosts a major military base.

The airport area has been attacked twice by jihadists this year. A local lawmaker, Bana Wagana Ibrahim, described the attack as "cowardly" and said that security forces had regained control. The ruling military council, known as the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, said the military had been deployed to defend the country.

Niger's national television was off air on Saturday following the violence. The country's military junta has struggled to contain jihadist violence since taking power three years ago. According to Daily Post Nigeria, gunfire and explosions lasted for over 30 minutes near the Nigerien Presidential Palace, starting after 1 am on Saturday.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria, Associated Press, Premium Times, Winnipeg Free Press, Daily Post Nigeria — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.