Authorities in Niger have declared a curfew in the volatile Tillaberi region after several prisoners escaped from a heavily fortified prison known for holding jihadists.
The incident occurred on Thursday at Koutoukale prison, located about 50 kilometers (30 miles) northwest of the capital, Niamey, the Interior Ministry said.
Two other escape attempts at the facility – in 2016 and 2019 – were repelled.
Niger’s military is strained by jihadist attacks in the west and protecting the junta that seized power in last year’s coup.
The ministry did not specify in its statement how many prisoners managed to escape in the latest escape.
However, Islamic fighters captured from groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State in the region are believed to be among them.
Authorities imposed a nighttime curfew across the Tillaberi region and ordered increased surveillance. The curfew restricts all pedestrian, bicycle and motor vehicle movement.
Niger and its neighbors – Mali and Burkina Faso, all under military rule, have struggled to contain growing jihadist attacks.
On Monday, at least 14 soldiers were killed and another 11 were injured in an attack by alleged jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda in the Tillaberi region.
Troops were ambushed between the villages of Ila Fari and Djangore, with 24 soldiers still missing.
The three military-led countries expelled French soldiers who were there helping fight jihadist groups and turned to Russia for military assistance.
Thousands of people have been killed in the insurgencies and more than three million have been displaced, fueling a deep humanitarian crisis.
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