NIAMEY, Niger — Niger’s military authorities have launched a large-scale manhunt after an early-morning attack on Diori Hamani International Airport in the capital Niamey left at least 13 people dead, including 11 soldiers and two civilians, in one of the most serious security breaches at the strategic facility in recent months.
Security sources and a military statement confirmed that the assault, which took place on Thursday, was carried out by suspected jihadists linked to the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), which later claimed responsibility for what it described as a suicide operation targeting both the airport and a nearby military installation.
The defence ministry said around 20 suspected attackers were killed during the operation, while others fled into surrounding neighbourhoods where security forces have since launched sweeping search operations.
“A large-scale operation by the defence and security forces to track down and neutralise the remaining elements is underway,” the military said, adding that the airport “remains fully secure” and continues to operate.
Heavy gunfire around strategic airport
Residents reported hours of sustained gunfire beginning shortly after dawn near the airport entrance, an area heavily guarded due to its dual civilian and military importance.
“I heard the first shots around 6am. The shooting was coming from the airport entrance,” one resident told Vivid Voice News by telephone, describing panic in nearby communities as the exchange of fire continued for hours.
An airport security source said the attackers arrived at the checkpoint by taxi before engaging in what was described as “fierce resistance” from security personnel. Some of the assailants were reportedly wearing explosive belts, according to the defence ministry.
The attackers were later said to have dispersed into surrounding districts, prompting joint operations by the army and security forces, who are also receiving assistance from local residents participating in ad hoc search efforts.
Arrests and injuries confirmed
The defence ministry confirmed that four people were wounded in the attack and that about 20 suspects had been arrested in follow-up operations.
While authorities insisted that airport operations were continuing normally, global flight tracking services indicated that several flights to Niamey were delayed or rerouted in the aftermath of the attack.
Renewed security fears at key aviation hub
Thursday’s assault comes just months after a similar attack in January targeting the airport and an adjoining military drone base, an incident claimed by the Islamic State in the Sahel. That earlier attack was repelled with the support of Nigerien forces and allied foreign partners.
The repeated targeting of the airport underscores its strategic significance, not only as the country’s main aviation hub but also as a military logistics centre and a sensitive site linked to the export of critical minerals, including uranium.
Authorities had previously reinforced security around the facility, including expanding perimeter fencing, demolishing informal settlements nearby, and installing more than 350 surveillance cameras in what officials described as counter-terrorism measures.
Despite these steps, analysts say the latest attack raises renewed questions about security gaps and intelligence penetration.
“The fact that the attack once again started in the morning and lasted a long time indicates that the measures taken have not been effective so far,” said Hasret Kargin, an intelligence analyst at Mintel World.
He added that the coordination and duration of the assault suggested possible insider knowledge or logistical support.
Jihadist insurgency persists
JNIM, which claimed responsibility for the attack, is one of the most active jihadist coalitions in the Sahel region, where Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have battled insurgencies for over a decade.
The region has experienced repeated attacks on military installations, civilian infrastructure and transport corridors despite ongoing counterinsurgency operations by national forces and allied partners.
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Niger’s military government, which came to power following a 2023 coup, has struggled to contain the violence even as it shifts foreign security partnerships away from France and toward countries including Russia, Turkey and Iran.
Political tensions and regional implications
The Nigerien authorities have in previous attacks accused foreign actors of involvement, including France, allegations repeatedly denied by Paris. In the aftermath of the January strike, officials described attackers as “mercenaries” allegedly linked to external interests.
Thursday’s attack is likely to intensify scrutiny of the junta’s security strategy, particularly its emphasis on restructuring foreign alliances while jihadist groups continue to expand their operational reach.
The European Union and African Union have both condemned the attack, urging stronger coordination in the fight against extremist groups operating across the Sahel.
As security forces continue their pursuit of the remaining attackers, Niamey remains on high alert, with residents bracing for further instability in a region already marked by persistent armed violence.
