Niger Launches Manhunt After Deadly Attack on Niamey Airport
Edited By: Aminata Diallo
Nigerien security forces have launched a large-scale operation to track down the perpetrators of a deadly attack on Niamey’s international airport that left at least 11 soldiers and two civilians dead on Thursday.
The assault, claimed by the Al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), targeted both Diori Hamani International Airport and a nearby military installation. According to the authorities, twenty-two attackers were killed during the operation, while four people were wounded and around twenty suspects were arrested.
In a statement broadcast on national television, the Ministry of Defence announced that security forces were conducting extensive search operations to locate and neutralize any remaining assailants. Authorities stressed that the airport had been fully secured and remained operational despite the attack.
Witnesses reported hearing intense gunfire for several hours near the airport early Thursday morning. According to an airport source, the attackers arrived by taxi and attempted to breach a security checkpoint before encountering strong resistance from security personnel. Some of the assailants were reportedly wearing explosive belts.
The attack marks the second major assault on the strategic airport complex this year. In January, the site and an adjacent military drone base were targeted in an attack claimed by the Islamic State in the Sahel, resulting in the deaths of twenty militants and injuries to four soldiers.
Security Concerns Persist
The latest incident has raised fresh concerns about the effectiveness of security measures implemented around the airport. Following the January attack, authorities reinforced the perimeter, expanded fencing, and installed more than 350 surveillance cameras. Thousands of unauthorized structures near the airport were also demolished as part of efforts to reduce what officials described as terrorist threats.
Nevertheless, security analysts argue that the ability of armed groups to strike such a heavily protected location highlights persistent vulnerabilities. Some experts suggest that the attackers may have benefited from insider information, while others point to the growing operational capabilities of jihadist organizations active in the region.
Ongoing Jihadist Threat
Niger continues to face a severe security crisis driven by armed groups linked to both Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Despite efforts by the authorities to strengthen security, attacks against military and civilian targets remain frequent across the country.
The government has accused France of supporting efforts to destabilize Niger, allegations repeatedly denied by Paris. Meanwhile, the authorities continue to deepen security cooperation with partners such as Russia, Türkiye and Iran.
The attack was condemned by both the African Union and the European Union, which expressed solidarity with Niger and called for continued efforts to combat terrorism in the Sahel region.
For the Nigerien authorities, the assault underscores the ongoing challenge of restoring stability and preventing armed groups from extending their reach to strategic national infrastructure.
