Niger has been fighting a militant Islamist insurgency for a decade and in January suspected jihadists attacked the same airport.
28 minutes ago
Chris Ewokor
AFP via Getty Images
Explosions and gunfire have been heard coming from the airport in Niger's capital, Niamey, residents have told the BBC.
"I heard the first gunshots at 06:00 (05:00 local time) while I was at the mosque. But the current situation is under control," one person said.
The gunfire, which lasted for two hours, came from the entrance to the airport, a witness told the AFP news agency.
Niger has been fighting a militant Islamist insurgency for a decade and in January suspected jihadists launched an attack on the same airport. Like its neighbours, Burkina Faso and Mali, Niger is run by a military junta that came to power in part because of the failure to deal with the violence.
Residents have told the BBC that Thursday's attack was repelled by the army, which is now hunting down the fleeing assailants who reportedly abandoned their weapons.
The authorities have not yet commented and no group has said it was responsible. But an affiliate to the Islamic State group said it had carried out January's assault.
More about Niger from the BBC:
Getty Images/BBC
BBC Africa podcasts
More than eight million South Africans are living with HIV – the highest number of any country in the world.
Diezani Alison-Madueke was cleared of taking bribes from wealthy oil executives after six-month trial.
Your chance to rank 10 of the most colourful and iconic kits African teams have worn at the World Cup.
Health facilities have come under attack during the current outbreak as a result of misinformation and fear.