THE NIAMEY ATTACK: On January 29, at least 35 gunmen from the Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP) invaded the Diori Hamani International Airport and roamed it for two hours, destroying ammunition and military aircraft.
THE NUCLEAR FACTOR: Around 1,000 tons of yellowcake (or powdered uranium concentrate) which can be processed to make nuclear weapons sat almost unprotected in close proximity to the airport. Although they weren't taken, the attack showed just how vulnerable the reserves are to ISSP attacks.
A HISTORICAL PRECEDENT: Although the idea of the Daesh making a nuclear bomb is nuts, to say the least, ISIS seized 40 kilograms of uranium compounds in Iraq in 2014, showing possible interest in selling the material to rogue actors or using it for a radioactive attack.
ZOOMING OUT: With American and French forces out of the picture, rising insurgent activity around the Sahel and increased regional insecurity, it's unlikely that Niger's position will get better anytime soon. Should the ISSP want to, all evidence suggests they would be able to seize large amounts of yellowcake and use it for nefarious purposes.
