In an official directive circulated to airport stakeholders, the agency instructed all operational units to maintain uninterrupted services while reinforcing security compliance across the airport platform amid heightened alert conditions following the incident.

The directive, signed by Director General Colonel-Major Hamadou Souley Ibrahim, emphasized continuity and discipline across aviation services. 

"Activities related to air operations are continuing normally across the entire airport platform,” the statement read. It further instructed personnel to "ensure the continuity of services under your respective structures,” and warned authorities to "strictly and rigorously observe all security measures,” reflecting concerns over potential secondary threats.

According to a government statement reported by Lamaane News Network, 11 members of the security forces and two civilians were killed when armed assailants targeted Diori Hamani International Airport and an adjacent military air base. Authorities said security forces repelled the attack after intense fighting, killing 22 attackers and detaining around 20 suspects for interrogation as operations stabilized.

Residents in nearby districts reported sustained gunfire and intermittent explosions in the early hours of Thursday, prompting temporary traffic restrictions and a visible deployment of armored vehicles and security checkpoints across Niamey. Airport access roads remained partially cordoned off as military units conducted clearance and search operations around sensitive installations, though passenger processing areas were later reopened under reinforced screening procedures.

The incident comes amid a broader escalation of insecurity in Niger’s western regions, particularly the Tillabéri zone, where coordinated assaults on military positions have increased pressure on state security forces. Previous attacks on Inates and Banibangou underscored the persistent threat posed by armed groups operating across porous borders in the Sahel, where regional militaries continue counterinsurgency operations under complex terrain and logistical constraints.

Security analysts say the targeting of both civilian aviation infrastructure and adjacent military facilities highlights the strategic value of Niamey’s airport as a dual-use hub for defense and humanitarian logistics. The attack underscores ongoing vulnerabilities despite reinforced perimeter defenses, raising questions about coordination between intelligence, airbase security, and civilian aviation management in safeguarding critical infrastructure.

Authorities maintained that full airport operations resumed shortly after the incident under tightened security protocols, with investigations ongoing to determine the planning structure behind the coordinated assault as Niger’s security forces remain on elevated alert across strategic installations.