NIAMEY — Nigerien authorities said Saturday they had regained control after a group of soldiers rebelled against officers at a key military base and opened fire on sensitive sites in the capital, Niamey, in an apparent mutiny that triggered hours of gunfire and explosions.
Defense Minister Gen. Salifou Mody said there had been a “break with discipline and military regulations” at Base 101, a military airbase located at Diori Hamani International Airport.
He said soldiers attempted to rebel against officers at the base and fired at sensitive locations before security forces brought the situation under control.
Sustained gunfire and explosions were heard from shortly after midnight into Saturday morning around the airport and in the Plateau administrative district, where the presidential palace and other key government institutions are located.
Security forces were deployed around both areas, while a major road leading into Niamey was closed.
State broadcaster RTN temporarily halted its live transmission for several hours Saturday morning before resuming broadcasts.
Niger’s ruling military council, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, urged the public to remain united and vigilant, saying defense and security forces had been mobilized.
The unrest marked the third security incident this year involving the airport, a strategic site that hosts a Nigerien air force base as well as the headquarters of the joint Niger-Burkina Faso-Mali military force.
Jihadi militants had attacked the airport on two previous occasions this year. Authorities, however, described Saturday’s incident as a rebellion involving soldiers rather than attributing it to militant groups.
Source: Saudi Gazette