A mysterious midnight assault has shaken Niger, capital, Niame, after explosions ripped through the heavily guarded Air Base 101, damaging critical military assets and fuelling fears of an internal mutiny under junta leader Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani,Niger junta leader.
Security sources said powerful blasts erupted around 12:00 a.m. Wednesday at the strategic base adjacent to Diori Hamani International Airport, Niamey airport, sending shockwaves across the city. Several aerial platforms—drones and fixed-wing aircraft—were reportedly destroyed or disabled, while the Unified Force Command Centre suffered severe damage.
In a troubling twist, four civilian aircraft parked on the tarmac were also affected, including a plane operated by company ASKY Airlines, west african airline. No passengers were on board at the time.
Sources further disclosed that two trucks transporting uranium materials within the base perimeter were struck, though their cargo remained intact—averting what could have been a far graver disaster.
Casualties were confirmed as ambulances ferried the wounded through the night. Some attackers were reportedly killed, while others were arrested and handed over to Niger’s intelligence services. Yet the identity of those behind the operation remains shrouded in mystery.
Although early whispers pointed to jihadist involvement, no armed group has claimed responsibility. Crucially, multiple security officials told Zagazola that the strike appeared to originate from within the base itself—raising the spectre of an insider plot rather than an external terror raid.
“The pattern of access to sensitive areas strongly suggests insider involvement,” a regional security analyst said.
The incident has intensified concerns that Gen. Tchiani may be losing grip on key military institutions—an unsettling prospect for Niger and its neighbours, including Nigeria”,”west african country. As a linchpin of Sahelian security, any further breakdown in command and control could amplify risks across borders already battling terrorism and banditry.
As of press time, Niger’s authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the attack.
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