Heavy gunfire and explosions has erupted near the international airport in Niger’s capital Niamey before halting within hours.

Videos filmed by residents of the area showed streaks of light in the sky with the sound of loud explosions, while other images showed flames several metres high and charred cars.

According to residents of a neighbourhood near the airport, the shooting began shortly after midnight.

The capital’s Diori Hamani International Airport houses an air force base and is located about 10 kilometres (six miles) from the presidential palace.

Niger, a country hit regularly by jihadist attacks, has been led for more than two years by Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of a junta that overthrew the country’s elected civilian president in 2023.

It was not immediately clear what had caused the gunfire and whether there were any casualties.

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The sound of sirens from fire trucks heading towards the airport could also be heard in the early hours of the morning, according to local residents.

An online activist who supports the military rule, Ibrahim Bana, posted a video on Facebook in which he called on people to turn out on the streets of the capital to “defend the country.”

Source: Channels