Written By Lisa Murimi
Authorities in Niger have declared a curfew in the Tillaberi region following a jailbreak at the heavily fortified Koutoukale prison.
The incident, which occurred on Thursday, saw several prisoners escape from the facility located about 50 kilometers northwest of the capital, Niamey, according to the interior ministry.
Koutoukale prison, known for housing jihadists, has previously thwarted jailbreak attempts in 2016 and 2019. The ministry did not specify the number of escapees in the latest incident, but it is believed that captured Islamist fighters linked to both al-Qaeda and the Islamic State were among them.
In response, officials imposed an overnight curfew throughout Tillaberi, restricting all movement of pedestrians, bicycles, and motor vehicles. They have also ordered heightened vigilance in the region.
Niger’s armed forces are already stretched thin by jihadist attacks in the west and the need to protect the junta that took power in last year’s coup. The recent jailbreak adds to the security challenges faced by the country.
On Monday, at least 14 soldiers were killed and 11 others wounded in an attack by suspected jihadists linked to al-Qaeda in Tillaberi. The troops were ambushed between the villages of Ila Fari and Djangore, with 24 soldiers still reported missing.
Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, has been battling to contain increasing jihadist attacks. All three military-led countries have expelled French soldiers and turned to Russia for military assistance, exacerbating the region’s instability. The insurgencies have claimed thousands of lives and displaced over three million people, deepening the humanitarian crisis.
