Security forces were deployed around the international airport in Niger’s capital yesterday after heavy gunfire and explosions erupted overnight in what several observers said bore the hallmark of a jihadist attack. The shooting began shortly after midnight, according to residents of a neighbourhood near the airport in Niamey. The capital’s Diori Hamani International Airport houses an air force base and is located 10 kilometres from the presidential palace. A heavy security deployment was seen early yesterday in the area of the airport, where police and soldiers controlled access, especially to the military base, and an armoured vehicle was stationed, an AFP journalist saw. Residents recounted their nighttime “fear” including from “roofs that were shaking”, as people in the capital went about their normal business early yesterday.