Niger Republic Arrests Dozens Of Soldiers Over Attempted Coup As Nigeria Calls For Constitutional Order
Niger Republic Arrests Dozens Of Soldiers Over Attempted Coup As Nigeria Calls For Constitutional Order
According to reports, renegade soldiers detained some of their colleagues and opened fire at sensitive locations, including the airport area, the presidential palace and the headquarters of Niger’s state broadcaster.
Niger’s military authorities have said they contained an attempted mutiny in the capital, Niamey, after soldiers reportedly attacked key military and government installations, prompting Nigeria to express concern and call for a return to constitutional order.
According to Niger’s state television, dozens of soldiers have been arrested for the attempted coup in Niamey.
The unrest began in the early hours of Saturday, August 29, at Base 101, a major military facility located within Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, according to Al Jazeera.
According to reports, renegade soldiers detained some of their colleagues and opened fire at sensitive locations, including the airport area, the presidential palace and the headquarters of Niger’s state broadcaster.
The state broadcaster was temporarily taken off air as gunfire and explosions were reported in parts of the capital.
Niger’s Defence Minister, General Salifou Mody, said security forces responded to the mutiny and eventually regained control of the affected areas.
The military-led government subsequently announced that the mutiny had been contained, while state television reported that dozens of soldiers had either been killed or arrested.
The ruling National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) urged residents to remain calm.
“Our Defence and Security Forces are mobilised for the Defence of the Fatherland. Let us remain united, vigilant and supportive,” the military council said.
The whereabouts of Niger’s military ruler, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, were not immediately confirmed.
The reported mutiny has raised fresh concerns about the stability of Niger’s military government, which seized power in July 2023 after overthrowing democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.
The latest unrest comes amid a worsening security crisis in the country, with armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State continuing to carry out attacks despite the junta’s efforts to strengthen military cooperation with Russia.
According to reports, the mutineers appeared to include young soldiers deployed from areas outside Niamey, including Ouallam, Tera and Dosso, where troops have suffered heavy casualties fighting armed groups.
Heni Nsaibia, senior West Africa analyst at the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data project, said repeated attacks on Nigerien forces were contributing to growing tensions within the military.
“These mass-casualty overrun attacks on the Nigerien military are becoming commonplace and will continue to fuel unrest and aggravate tensions within the army ranks,” Nsaibia said.
Security expert Kabir Adamu also described the mutiny as an indication of deeper problems within Niger’s military establishment.
The Abuja-based analyst said the incident “speaks of deeper institutional and structural challenges within the military,” including concerns over military deployment, equipment and the rotation of troops.
Adamu said the locations targeted by the mutineers indicated that the incident was “clearly an attempt to overthrow the government.”
He warned that unless Tchiani addressed the country’s underlying security and socioeconomic problems, similar unrest could emerge again.
“If [Tchiani] does not address the deep-rooted socioeconomic, cultural, environmental and security challenges that he promised when he took over power in July 2023, then those issues will continue to rear their head,” he said.
The Russian government-linked Africa Corps was reportedly asked to assist Nigerien authorities in neutralising the mutineers, according to Russia’s ambassador to Niger, Viktor Voropaev.
Base 101 is also home to the general staff of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, as well as the headquarters of the Africa Corps in Niger.
The three countries formed the AES after jointly distancing themselves from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following their respective military takeovers.
The AES governments expressed support for Niger’s military leadership, describing the mutiny as a “betrayal by a group of soldiers involved in a destabilisation plot.”
It was not immediately clear whether Mali or Burkina Faso provided direct military assistance to Niger during the unrest.
Algeria condemned the incident and expressed its “full solidarity and firm support” for Niger, while Türkiye called for restraint and said it hoped “calm would be restored as soon as possible.”
The Nigerian Government has also expressed concern over the developments.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, Nigeria said it was “deeply concerned” about the political and security situation in its neighbouring country.
The ministry said Nigeria, as a country with “close historical, fraternal and cultural bonds” with Niger, was keen to see peace, security, democracy and development restored.
It warned against the use of force to resolve political disputes.
“Any resort to the use of force to settle political differences detracts from this objective,” the statement said.
Nigeria urged the Nigerien government and its people to work towards an inclusive and participatory return to stability and constitutional order.
“It therefore urges the government and people of Niger to work together towards an inclusive and participatory return to stability and constitutional order in the interest of the country, regional peace and stability,” the ministry said.
The mutiny is the latest in a series of security incidents to hit Niger’s capital and military installations.
In January 2026, the Islamic State in the Sahel claimed responsibility for an attack on an air force base at Diori Hamani International Airport and an adjoining military facility.
In June, an armed attack on Niamey airport reportedly killed 11 soldiers and two civilians.
Niger’s military authorities have repeatedly justified the 2023 coup by citing the inability of the previous civilian government to contain armed groups.
However, three years after the takeover, jihadist attacks remain a major threat, while heavy casualties among frontline troops have increased pressure on the military leadership.
The latest mutiny therefore presents another major challenge for Tchiani’s government, as it seeks to maintain control while confronting both an entrenched insurgency and growing questions over the effectiveness and cohesion of the military.
