No shots were fired and it's not clear if this is an attempt by the presidential guard to seize power.
Niger presidential guards are holding President Mohamed Bazoum inside the presidential palace in the capital, which has been blocked off by military vehicles since Wednesday morning.
No shots were fired and it's not clear if this is an attempt by the presidential guard to seize power.
The president's office tweeted that the guards unsuccessfully tried to get support from the military in their "anti-republican" efforts.
President Mohamed Bazoum is in his residence with his family, the BBC reports, quoting AFP.
The movements have the semblance of four military takeovers that have hit neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso since 2020.
According to the report, ministries next to the palace have also been blocked off, and staff inside the palace have not been able to access to their offices, presidency and security sources said.
The rest of Niamey appeared calm, with normal morning traffic on the road and full internet access, a Reuters reporter said.
One unnamed source told the same agency the move was a "fit of temper" by troops, and that talks were underway.
Reports say the immediate former president, Mohammed Issoufou, and other former presidents are currently involved in talks to stop the situation from escalating.
"The President of the Republic and his family are doing well. The Army and the National Guard are ready to attack" those involved in this incident, the president's office added.