Sustained gunfire and explosions were heard across several areas of Niger's capital, Niamey, early Saturday, with attackers targeting the city's Diori Hamani International Airport and attempting to breach the security perimeter around the presidency.

Axar.az reports, citing Reuters, that Bana Wagana Ibrahim, a member of Niger's Bureau of the Consultative Council and a deputy in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) Parliament, said attackers had also targeted Base 101, a major military installation in Niamey.

“Another cowardly attack on Base 101 and once again our defence and security forces ensured ... Situation under control,” Ibrahim wrote on Facebook.

A security source said security forces had launched search operations and that the attackers had been neutralised, while others had fled.

Niger's military government was not immediately available for comment.

Niger has been ruled by the military since a July 2023 coup. The country, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, continues to battle Islamist insurgencies linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State despite pledges by its military rulers to improve security.