Authorities in Niger imposed a curfew in the unstable Tillaberi region following a breakout from a heavily guarded prison known for housing jihadists.
The incident happened on Thursday at Koutoukale prison, situated approximately 50 kilometers (30 miles) northwest of Niamey, according to the interior ministry.
Previous attempts to escape from the facility in 2016 and 2019 were thwarted. Niger’s military is already strained by jihadist assaults in the west and its responsibilities in safeguarding the junta that seized power in last year’s coup.
The ministry did not disclose the exact number of prisoners who escaped in the recent jailbreak.
However, it is suspected that captured militants associated with both al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in the area are among them.
Authorities have implemented a nighttime curfew across the Tillaberi region and urged increased alertness. The curfew applies to all pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, restricting their movement during nighttime hours.
Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, all governed by military regimes, have been struggling to contain a rising tide of jihadist assaults.
On Monday, suspected jihadist factions linked to al-Qaeda launched an attack in Niger’s Tillaberi region, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 soldiers and injuries to 11 others.
The soldiers were ambushed between the villages of IlaFari and Djangore, with 24 still reported as missing. These three nations, all under military leadership, have expelled French troops who were assisting in the fight against jihadist groups and have turned to Russia for military support.
The conflicts have resulted in thousands of fatalities and displaced over three million people, exacerbating a severe humanitarian crisis.
