Niger’s government says it has foiled an attempted mutiny by some soldiers after heavy gunfire was heard overnight in Niamey, the country’s capital.
The shooting continued into the early hours of Saturday, causing concern among residents and attracting international attention.
In a statement read on state television, Niger’s Defence Minister, General Salifou Modi, said a group of soldiers entered the 101 Military Camp near Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey at about 12:20 am.
He said the soldiers took some of their colleagues hostage during the incident.
However, Modi said government forces quickly responded and foiled the attempted mutiny, restoring calm and order in the capital.
“Following the determination of the country’s forces, everything has now returned to normal and the mutiny they wanted to start has been crushed,” the government said.
Before the government issued its statement, there was no clear information about where the gunfire was coming from, and authorities had not released any official explanation.
The defence minister also did not say whether anyone was killed or injured during the incident.
Reuters, however, quoted security sources as saying that an attack took place at Niamey’s airport, while there was also an attempt to enter the presidential palace.
Niger foils attempted military mutiny after gunfire in Niamey