A military unit tried to seize the presidential palace in Niger's capital Niamey overnight but it was pushed back by heavy gunfire and order has been restored, local media reported on Wednesday citing a Niger security source, days before a handover of power.
The assailants, from a nearby air base, fled after their attack was met with heavy shelling and gunfire from the presidential guard unit, three other security sources said, adding that a search was ongoing.
Heavy gunfire was heard in the area of the presidential palace in Niger's capital around 3:00 a.m. local time (0200 GMT) on Wednesday for about 30 minutes, according to residents.
Other shots were also heard early in the morning in the area of Niamey International Airport, where Niger's military base is located.
Source : https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-03-31/Heavy-gunfire-reported-near-presidential-compound-in-Niger-s-capital-Z4VFIxSL7O/index.html
