A daring prison break in Niger has resulted in the recapture of dozens of inmates, including terrorist insurgents, and the killing of three escapees. The incident occurred at Koutoukale prison near Niamey, prompting a swift military response to apprehend the fleeing inmates.
According to Niger’s military, a “large number” of inmates escaped from the prison, which houses militants who have targeted Niger and its neighboring countries for years.
The military swiftly mobilized and managed to recapture many of the escapees, though exact numbers were not disclosed.
In the process of recapturing the escapees, three armed terrorists were killed during the pursuit.
Searches continue for the remaining escapees in the densely populated area around the Niger River.
The incident prompted authorities to impose a curfew as efforts to apprehend the fugitives intensified.
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Koutoukale prison, located in Niger’s Tillaberi region near the volatile border shared with Mali and Burkina Faso, remains a critical security concern due to frequent attacks by rebel groups affiliated with ISIL and al-Qaeda.
Niger is currently governed by a military junta that seized power in a July 2023 coup, citing deteriorating security conditions as justification. In a separate security incident on July 13, Niger’s military reported that six soldiers were killed in a terrorist attack in the nearby Tahoua region.
“We will not tolerate any acts of terrorism or violence in our country,” said a military spokesperson. “We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the security and safety of our citizens.”
