Gunfire and explosions reported at Niamey’s Diori Hamani airport

Explosions and gunfire were heard early on Thursday at Niamey’s Diori Hamani International Airport, residents told BBC News.

"I heard the first gunshots at 06:00 local time (05:00 GMT) while I was at the mosque. But the current situation is under control," one witness reported.

The gunfire, which lasted for two hours, originated from the airport entrance, a CNN-French AFP source said.

Niger has fought an Islamist insurgency for more than a decade, and in January a suspected jihadist assault targeted the same airport. The country is ruled by a military junta that came to power partly because of failures to curb violence.

According to the army, the attackers fled after losing equipment and were said to have abandoned their weapons. Niger’s defence ministry confirmed that, in January, four soldiers were hurt and 20 insurgents were killed.

Still, no group claimed responsibility; an Islamic State affiliate that claimed the January strike has not been linked to this Thursday attack. The junta’s head thanked Russia for aiding the foiling of the assault and accused France, Benin and Ivory Coast of backing the attackers, yet no evidence was presented.

In recent weeks, authorities have demolished neighbourhoods near the airport, citing “terrorist risks,” and expanded the perimeter fence with more than 350 surveillance cameras.