Thirteen people, including eleven soldiers and two civilians, lost their lives in a brazen attack on Niamey’s international airport early Thursday. Armed assailants, some reportedly wearing explosive belts, targeted the airport terminal in an attempted breach of security protocols. Authorities confirmed that the swift intervention of defense forces thwarted the assault before the attackers could reach their intended destination.
security forces neutralize attackers as airport operations resume
The Ministry of Defense released a statement detailing the tragic outcome of the confrontation. Eleven members of the defense and security forces, alongside two civilians, were killed, while four others sustained injuries. In response, security personnel neutralized twenty-two attackers and detained nearly two dozen suspects. A large-scale operation is currently underway to locate any remaining threats, though officials assured the public that the airport remains secure and fully operational.
Flight tracking data revealed that several incoming flights were diverted or delayed as a precautionary measure, but no further disruptions were reported by midday Thursday.
witnesses describe hours-long gunfight near airport entrance
Local residents recounted a harrowing scene as gunfire erupted at 6:00 AM local time, persisting for over two hours. The assault targeted a checkpoint located just meters from the airport’s main entrance, the sole access point to the facility. According to an airport insider, the armed group arrived in taxis before clashing violently with security personnel. The confrontation ended by 10:00 AM, with attackers reportedly scattering into nearby neighborhoods, prompting extensive search operations.
A motorcycle taxi driver in the vicinity corroborated reports of heavy casualties among the assailants, adding that some were taken into custody with the assistance of local residents. This incident marks the second major attack on the airport within six months, following a January assault that left four injured and caused significant structural damage.
recent security upgrades fail to prevent attack
In the wake of the January offensive, authorities had implemented heightened security measures, including the extension of perimeter walls and the installation of over 350 surveillance cameras. The Ministry of Defense attributed the January breach to gaps in the security framework, with the stated objective of the attackers being the destruction of the nation’s aerial capabilities.
The latest assault has raised concerns about the ongoing threat posed by jihadist groups in Niger, particularly as the military-led government continues to struggle against insurgent violence. The airport remains a critical infrastructure site, having recently hosted a substantial uranium shipment awaiting export, though no movement regarding this cargo has been confirmed.
