Breaking
Police authorities in Belize City are investigating a fatal late-night drive-by shooting that claimed the life of 21-year-old Jaheem SanchezMissing Holland Woman Brittany Ritter Found Deceased in IndianaFranklin Small Business Owner Charity Lynn Maloy Passes AwayBonifay Resident Cortney Nicole Reddick Passes Away at Age 35; Celebration of Life Service ScheduledCommunity members, choir singers, and faith leaders across Southern California are mourning the tragic passing of 33-year-old musician and educator Braden PontoliIndependent Investigation Launched Following Death of Duncan Police Officer Vincent SchenckFresno Rider Gregory Hansen Dies Following Collision With Bicycle-Pulled CartBrother Charged With Murder After GBI Identifies Remains of Missing Dougherty County TeenagerPolice authorities in Belize City are investigating a fatal late-night drive-by shooting that claimed the life of 21-year-old Jaheem SanchezMissing Holland Woman Brittany Ritter Found Deceased in IndianaFranklin Small Business Owner Charity Lynn Maloy Passes AwayBonifay Resident Cortney Nicole Reddick Passes Away at Age 35; Celebration of Life Service ScheduledCommunity members, choir singers, and faith leaders across Southern California are mourning the tragic passing of 33-year-old musician and educator Braden PontoliIndependent Investigation Launched Following Death of Duncan Police Officer Vincent SchenckFresno Rider Gregory Hansen Dies Following Collision With Bicycle-Pulled CartBrother Charged With Murder After GBI Identifies Remains of Missing Dougherty County Teenager
GRC
Sign in
Europe

Heavy gunfire in Niger capital as clashes reported at presidential palace

A military junta has rule Niger for three years but has struggled to contend with jihadist violence.

29 Aug 2026 2 min 0
WhatsAppX Facebook
Heavy gunfire in Niger capital as clashes reported at presidential palace

Published on 29/08/2026 - 12:55 GMT+2

Gunfire rang out across parts of the Niger capital of Niamey overnight amid reports of an attack on the presidential palace.

The cause of the shooting was not immediately clear.

Bana Wagana Ibrahim, a member of Niger's Consultative Council, shared a statement on Saturday saying: "In light of current events, let us remain calm and avoid sharing unverified information."

"Our defence and security forces have been mobilised for the defence of the homeland," the statement read.

Ibrahim had earlier condemned what he called "another cowardly attack" on the Base 101 military airbase but added that the situation was "under control."

"Once again our defence and security forces have risen to the challenge," he wrote in a post on social media.

It comes as a security source told the AFP news agency that Niger's presidential guard had fought off "insurgents from within the armed forces" who attempted to make their way into the presidential palace in Niamey on Saturday.

The west African nation's state TV was also off air on Saturday, locals told AFP, with a black screen showing in place of regular programming.

One local said they had heard "heavy gunfire and explosions" at Base 101. Several other witnesses corroborated the report.

Another resident said he heard "bursts of gunfire" at around 7 am local time.

"I went to get credit for my phone. I saw a military vehicle heading towards the base that had to turn back," he added. "The weapons we're hearing are not the kind that terrorists on motorbikes can carry. The fighting has been non-stop since last night."

A military junta has ruled Niger for three years but has struggled to contend with jihadist violence.

Jihadists have already targeted Niamey airport twice this year. The Islamic State in the Sahel group attacked in January, before the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims attacked in June.

Original source