National guards open fire on supporters of president Bazoum (Video)

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The National Guards fired warning shots at the protesters who marched towards President Mohamed Bazoum’s palace to show solidarity with the leader of the Niger Republic.

The guards had on Wednesday moved against President Bazoum in an apparent coup attempt.

The presidency’s official Twitter account said that the presidential guards engaged in an “anti-Republican demonstration” and tried “in vain” to obtain the support of the other security forces.

It added that Bazoum and his family were well after news agencies quoted security sources as saying that the guards were holding Bazoum inside the presidential palace in the capital, Niamey.

The palace and ministries next to it had been blocked off by military vehicles on Wednesday morning. Staff inside the palace were also unable to access their offices but there was calm elsewhere in Niamey.

There was also a directive from the army for troops loyal to Bazoum to move in to quell what seemed to be a coup attempt.

However, as of the time of filing this report, President Bazoum is still being held at gunpoint.

Watch the moment the National Guards open fire at protesters below: