By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Heavy gunfire and explosions were reported in the early hours of Thursday near the international airport in Niamey Niger’s capital.
The shooting began shortly after midnight, according to residents of a neighbourhood near the airport.
Calm returned two hours later.
It was not immediately clear what had caused the gunfire and whether there were any casualties.
Videos filmed by residents of the area showed streaks of light in the sky with the sound of loud explosions, while other images showed flames several metres high and charred cars.
The capital’s Diori Hamani International Airport houses an airforce base and is located about 10 kilometres from the presidential palace.
