Heavy gunfire erupts near airport in Niger's capital: residents

A burst of heavy gunfire and explosions erupted and subsequently halted overnight near the international airport in Niger's capital, Niamey, residents told AFP on Thursday.

The shooting began shortly after midnight, according to residents of a neighbourhood near the airport. Calm returned two hours later, they said.

Niger has been led for more than two years by Abdourahamane Tiani, the junta leader who overthrew the country's elected civilian president in 2023.