Niamey airport demolitions target jihadist threat in unplanned areas

Residents of Kobontafa, a district bordering Niamey’s international airport, are hastily dismantling their own homes ahead of an impending demolition order. Roofs, doors and windows are being removed in a frantic effort as authorities enforce a sweeping operation against unauthorized structures encroaching on airport grounds.

This crackdown follows a January 29 attack on Niamey’s Diori Hamani International Airport and a nearby military drone base. Investigations revealed that attackers allegedly used unregulated neighborhoods as entry points to infiltrate the targeted zones, prompting authorities to act decisively.

Official data shows nearly 26,000 residents across four unauthorized settlements face displacement due to their proximity to the airport—a vulnerability officials describe as a critical security flaw. These informal zones occupy a significant portion of the airport’s perimeter, making them potential conduits for threats.

Niger has been grappling with escalating violence from Al-Qaeda and Islamic State-affiliated militants, especially in peripheral regions near the capital. The January assault, claimed by the Islamic State in the Sahel (ISS), was repelled by Nigerien forces with support from Russian partners. Casualties included twenty militants killed and four soldiers wounded, alongside damage to infrastructure.

Days after the attack, General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, acknowledged security lapses that enabled the assault. He emphasized that the attackers aimed to cripple Niger’s aerial capabilities.

Colonel Amadou Abdramane, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation, clarified that demolitions prioritize the airport’s eastern sector—an area irregularly occupied and identified as the entry point used by attackers.

General Mohamed Toumba, Interior Minister, warned that allowing these settlements to persist invites further infiltration risks. He cautioned that failing to address safety concerns could jeopardize the airport’s international standing and compliance with aviation safety standards.

Authorities have pledged compensation to displaced residents, contingent on registration in an official census. Meanwhile, security around the airport has been bolstered with extended perimeter fencing and over 350 surveillance cameras deployed both inside and outside the facility.

Nationally, awareness campaigns are urging citizens to report suspicious activities or individuals through dedicated emergency hotlines.