Authorities in Niger have declared a curfew in the volatile Tillaberi region after several prisoners escaped from the heavily fortified Koutoukale prison, known to hold jihadists. The incident occurred on Thursday, approximately 50 kilometers (30 miles) northwest of the capital, Niamey.
The interior ministry stated that two previous attempted jailbreaks at the facility, in 2016 and 2019, were successfully repelled.
However, the ministry did not specify the exact number of prisoners who managed to escape in the latest incident. It is believed that captured Islamist fighters from groups linked to both al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in the region are among those who escaped. Officials have imposed an overnight curfew throughout the Tillaberi region and ordered heightened vigilance, restricting all movement of pedestrians, bicycles, and motor vehicles.
Niger, along with its neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, all under military rule, have been battling to contain increasing jihadist attacks. On Monday, at least 14 soldiers were killed and 11 others wounded in an attack by suspected jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda in the Tillaberi region.
The troops were ambushed between the villages of Ila Fari and Djangore, with 24 soldiers still reported missing. The three military-led countries have all expelled French soldiers who were assisting in the fight against jihadist groups and have turned to Russia for military assistance.
Thousands have been killed in the insurgencies, and more than three million people have been displaced, fuelling a deep humanitarian crisis.The jailbreak at Koutoukale prison highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by Niger’s armed forces, which are stretched thin by jihadist attacks and the need to protect the junta that took power in last year’s coup. The situation underscores the importance of regional cooperation and international support in combating the growing threat of terrorism in the Sahel region.