Security has been reinforced around Niger’s Presidential Palace in Niamey following reports of unrest involving some members of the country’s armed forces, according to security sources.

The sources, cited by security analyst Zagazola Makama, said the Presidential Guard, supported by armoured vehicles, increased its deployment around the palace on the night of July 3 and into July 4 after what was described as a limited protest by personnel from an armoured unit of the Niger Armed Forces (FAN).

According to the sources, some soldiers reportedly refused deployment to frontline positions in the Tillabéri Region, particularly around Inatès and Chinagodrar, citing inadequate heavy equipment and insufficient operational resources to confront the growing security threats in the area.

One security source described the incident as a “small mutiny,” although the Nigerien authorities have not officially confirmed the claim.

The reported protest is said to have prompted the government to tighten security around the Presidential Palace and temporarily restrict movement in nearby areas as a precaution.

The Tillabéri Region remains one of Niger’s most volatile areas, with armed extremist groups, including factions affiliated with the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), carrying out repeated attacks.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigerien government nor the military had issued an official statement on the reported protest or the increased security measures around the Presidency.