NIAMEY, Niger — Dozens of soldiers have been arrested after Nigerien security forces suppressed an attempted mutiny in the capital, Niamey, early Saturday, August 29.
State-run broadcaster RTN aired footage showing rows of detainees, most of them young soldiers, following the clashes. The Associated Press reported that the uprising began in the early hours, with gunfire erupting across several parts of the city before government forces regained control.
According to French news agency AFP, members of the presidential guard stormed Air Base 101, located within Niamey’s airport complex, killing some of the alleged mutineers during the operation. Official casualty figures have not yet been released.
Defence Minister Salifou Modi confirmed that a group of soldiers attempted to detain fellow servicemen at the base before opening fire at strategic locations in Niamey. “Our forces acted swiftly to restore order and protect the capital,” Modi said.
Russia’s Ambassador to Niger, Viktor Voropaev, told TASS that Nigerien soldiers had requested assistance from Russia’s Africa Corps stationed at Air Base 101.
Authorities later announced that government forces had restored control across Niamey, with the Niger Press Agency reporting that normal activities had resumed.
The incident underscores mounting instability in Niger, which has been under military rule since the 2023 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.
