Post by : Bianca
Haleem
Early Thursday, loud gunfire and explosions shook the area near Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger, as reported by local citizens and AFP sources. The blasts instigated widespread panic among residents, who witnessed flames and smoke rising alarming from the vicinity.
Videos circulated by local residents depicted flashes of light, violent explosions, and burning cars, contributing to the chaos near the airport. Reports indicate that the shooting started shortly after midnight, continuing for approximately two hours before order was restored.
Situated around 10 kilometers from the presidential palace, Diori Hamani International Airport is also home to an air force base. This location plays a crucial role in security, housing the headquarters of a multinational military force formed by Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali to combat militant threats.
Currently, there have been no confirmed casualties, and the precise nature of the disturbance remains undetermined. Witnesses reported seeing and hearing fire trucks and emergency vehicles racing toward the airport.
Since a coup in 2023, Niger has been governed by military head Abdourahamane Tiani after the elected civilian administration was ousted. The airport gained additional attention recently due to a significant uranium shipment that has been delayed there for weeks.
As of now, official authorities have yet to issue a statement regarding the alarming situation.
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