Niger military troops prevented “insurgents from within the armed forces” in their attempt to infiltrate the presidential residence in Niamey, where shooting was taking place, a security source told AFP.
Throughout the night, heavy gunfire could be heard in numerous neighborhoods of the capital, particularly in the city center near the presidential palace.
Shootings also occurred near the airport, which houses a major military base.
The state television signal was interrupted for just over an hour until being restored about 10:00 a.m. (0900 GMT).
Meanwhile, Niger’s national television was off the air on Saturday following a night of intense gunfire.
Niger has been ruled by a military junta for three years, struggling to curb jihadist violence that has plagued the West African country for nearly a decade.
A resident in the neighborhood reported hearing “bursts of gunfire” at 7:00 a.m. local time.
“I went to get credit for my phone. I saw a military vehicle heading towards the base that had to turn back,” he added.
“The weapons we’re hearing are not the kind that terrorists on motorbikes can carry. The fighting has been non-stop since last night.”
Another resident in the west of Niamey mentioned that he heard sporadic small arms fire at about 5:00 am.
Several social media posts also reported shootings and explosions throughout the capital, notably in the administrative district that houses the presidential palace and the national television station.
