Heavy gunfire rocks Niger capital, TV station goes off air
Niger’s national television was off air on Saturday after a night of heavy gunfire in parts of the capital, including around a military base near the city’s airport which has been attacked twice this year by jihadists. Niger has been ruled for three years by a military junta that has struggled to contain jihadist violence, Read More:…
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.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Heavy gunfire rocks Niger capital, TV station goes off air punchng.com
- Heavy gunfire in Nigerien capital, Niamey businessday.ng
