During the night of January 28 to 29, 2026, Niamey’s Diori Hamani International Airport was the scene of heavy gunfire from an as-yet unidentified source, resulting in material damage to an aircraft operated by Air Côte d’Ivoire. The aircraft, an Airbus A319, was parked on the tarmac at the time of the incident and was struck by several impacts on its fuselage and right wing.

According to information released by the airline, no injuries or loss of life were reported. Passengers and crew members were outside the aircraft when the incident occurred, thereby avoiding any direct human casualties.

A technical assessment of the damage is currently underway to determine the full extent of the impacts and the repairs required. This situation could lead to the prolonged grounding of the affected aircraft and may result in adjustments to the airline’s flight schedule.

In a statement, Air Côte d’Ivoire apologized to its customers for any inconvenience that may arise from these disruptions. The airline’s General Management also reassured passengers that prompt measures are being taken to minimize the impact of this incident on the regularity of its operations.

At this stage, the authorities have not yet officially communicated on the origin of the gunfire. An investigation may be launched to clarify the circumstances surrounding this incident, which occurred within the airport premises.