An armed assault on Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey has left 35 people dead and dozens injured, according to security sources. The attack, which began at approximately 3 a.m.
local time, involved a coordinated team of gunmen who breached the airport’s perimeter fence before opening fire on passengers and staff in the terminal and on the tarmac. Nigerien security forces responded, engaging the assailants in a firefight that lasted several hours. Officials have confirmed that 32 civilians and three soldiers were killed.
The attackers, numbering at least 15, were reportedly neutralised or escaped. A previously unknown group, claiming affiliation with regional jihadist networks, has asserted responsibility in a statement circulated on social media. The airport, Niger’s primary international gateway, has been closed indefinitely.
Authorities have imposed a curfew in Niamey as a security sweep continues. The attack underscores the persistent threat posed by insurgent groups in the Sahel, despite ongoing regional and international counter-terrorism operations.
