Authorities in Niger have imposed a curfew in the volatile Tillaberi region following the escape of several prisoners from a heavily fortified jail known for housing jihadists. The jailbreak occurred on Thursday at Koutoukale prison, approximately 50 kilometers (30 miles) northwest of the capital, Niamey, according to the interior ministry.
Koutoukale prison has previously experienced attempted breakouts in 2016 and 2019, both of which were thwarted. This latest escape, however, has raised significant concerns, particularly because the prison holds Islamist fighters linked to both al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
The interior ministry’s statement did not specify the number of prisoners who escaped. In response to the breakout, officials have enforced an overnight curfew across the Tillaberi region and heightened security measures. The curfew restricts all movement of pedestrians, bicycles, and motor vehicles during the night.
Niger’s armed forces are already under considerable strain due to ongoing jihadist attacks in the west and the need to protect the junta that took power in a coup last year. The Tillaberi region, in particular, has been a hotspot for such violence. Earlier this week, at least 14 soldiers were killed and 11 others wounded in an attack by suspected jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda. The ambush, which occurred between the villages of Ila Fari and Djangore, left 24 soldiers missing.
Niger, along with its neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso, all of which are under military rule, has been struggling to contain the escalating jihadist threat. These countries have recently expelled French troops that were assisting in the fight against jihadist groups and have instead turned to Russia for military support.
The insurgencies in the region have resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced more than three million people, creating a deep humanitarian crisis.
