Deadly jihadist assault on Niamey airport leaves 11 dead
A coordinated assault by suspected jihadists on Niamey’s international airport has claimed the lives of eleven soldiers and two civilians, according to an official statement from Niger’s Ministry of Defense. The attack, which unfolded on Thursday morning, saw assailants—some reportedly wearing explosive belts—attempt to breach the airport terminal. Security forces responded swiftly, thwarting the incursion and securing the perimeter.
The ministry confirmed a provisional toll of 13 fatalities on the government side, including eleven members of the defense and security forces and two civilians, alongside four injured. In stark contrast, twenty-two assailants were neutralized, and nearly two dozen suspects were detained. A large-scale security operation is currently underway to track down remaining attackers who fled into nearby neighborhoods. Despite the chaos, the airport remains operational, though several flights have been rerouted or delayed, as reported by aviation tracking systems.
timeline of the assault
Residents in the vicinity reported hearing gunfire around 6:00 AM local time, sustained for approximately two hours. The violence erupted near a checkpoint on the sole road leading to the airport, just meters from the terminal entrance. Witnesses described armed attackers arriving in taxis before clashing with security personnel in a fierce exchange of fire. By 10:00 AM, the area had returned to calm, though security forces continued to conduct sweeping operations in surrounding districts.
A local taxi driver recounted how several assailants were neutralized, while others were captured with the assistance of civilians. This latest attack follows a January 29 assault on the same airport, which had marked the first jihadist strike on the facility. That incident resulted in significant material damage and left four wounded. Authorities have not disclosed any movement of a uranium shipment that had been held at the airport since December, pending export.
Niger’s ongoing security crisis
Under the leadership of General Abdourahamane Tiani, who rose to power in a July 2023 coup, Niger has struggled to contain the escalating violence perpetrated by armed groups. The general attributed the January attack to a “flaw in the security setup,” with assailants allegedly aiming to cripple the nation’s aerial capabilities. In response, authorities have intensified measures, including the demolition of neighborhoods surrounding the airport, the extension of perimeter walls, and the installation of over 350 surveillance cameras inside and outside the facility.