Niger Republic’s army foils attempted military mutiny after gunfire in Niamey

Niger’s government says it has foiled an attempted mutiny by some soldiers after heavy gunfire and explosions were heard overnight in Niamey, the country’s capital.

The Niger Ministry of National Defense said on Saturday, August 29, that a group of soldiers had opened fire at “sensitive” locations in the capital in an apparent mutiny.

The shooting began at about 1 a.m. local time on Saturday and continued into the early hours, causing concern among residents. In a statement read on state television, Defence Minister General Salifou Modi said the soldiers entered the 101 Military Camp near Diori Hamani International Airport at about 12:20 a.m. and took some of their colleagues hostage.

Modi said government forces responded quickly and succeeded in foiling the attempted mutiny and restoring calm in the capital. “Following the determination of the country’s forces, everything has now returned to normal and the mutiny they wanted to start has been crushed,” the government said.

Authorities also urged residents to remain calm and continue with their normal activities. The incident reportedly involved Diori Hamani International Airport, which also houses a military base, while attackers allegedly attempted to breach the security perimeter around the presidential palace.

Lawmaker Bana Wagana Ibrahim, a member of the Consultative Council, said security forces had brought the situation under control. “Another cowardly attack on Base 101 and once again our defense and security forces ensured … Situation under control,” he said. The defence minister did not disclose whether anyone was killed or injured during the incident.

Reuters, however, quoted security sources as saying an attack took place at Niamey’s airport and that there was also an attempt to enter the presidential palace. The military later said it was “gradually regaining control” after mutineers took soldiers hostage at a base near the airport, according to AFP.

The gunfire also reportedly disrupted national television broadcasts. Local residents said Tele Sahel went off air, with its satellite and online programming replaced by a black screen at about 9 a.m. local time. The service was restored about an hour later.

The incident poses another challenge to Niger’s military junta, led by Abdourahamane Tchiani, who seized power in a 2023 coup. Niger, along with neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, has been ruled by military authorities and continues to face a persistent jihadist insurgency.

Niamey has also come under attack by jihadist groups twice this year. The so-called Islamic State in the Sahel targeted the capital earlier in the year, while the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) carried out another attack in June. Before the government issued its statement, there had been no clear information about the source of the gunfire or an official explanation of the incident.