Media: prisoners in Niger convicted of terrorism staged riot and escaped
Several prisoners who were convicted of terrorism escaped from a high-security prison located in the Tillabery Region of Niger after staging a riot, TASS reports
The ActuNiger portal, referring to the statement of Niger’s Interior Ministry, reported that the country’s only high-security prison is located in Koutoukale, 50km from the capital Niamey. The number of escaped prisoners is not given, but it is specified that they rioted.
The country’s law enforcement agencies have been mobilised to search for the fugitives. The authorities also ordered the involvement of tribal leaders, religious leaders and the local population in the search. A curfew has been imposed throughout the region.
There is no information about whether anyone was injured during the riot.
According to the Internet portal, extremely dangerous criminals are serving sentences in this prison, including militants from the terrorist groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State (IS). Officials arrested after the coup on July 26th, 2023 are also serving their sentences there.
