Niger: Exchange of gunfire heard early morning at Niamey airport

Gunfire erupted Thursday morning at the entrance of Niamey's international airport, according to residents. The first shots were heard at 06:00 (05:00 GMT) and continued until around 08:00. The airport had already been targeted in late January by a major jihadist attack claimed by the Islamic State group, which was repelled by the Nigerien army and its Russian partners. Since then, authorities have strengthened security by extending the perimeter wall and installing over 350 cameras.