The Nigerien army stated on Saturday evening following the recent escape of inmates from the high-security Koutoukalé prison, located about fifty kilometers from Niamey in the Tillabéri region, which has been under a state of emergency for several years.
The army claims that “a large number” of the escapees have been apprehended, and the search operations are ongoing to capture the remaining fugitives.
No official figures have been released yet, but the mutiny on Thursday afternoon resulted in the escape of several dangerous inmates from the high-security facility. Among the escapees are Islamist fighters with links to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
The army reports that dozens of escapees have been captured but did not provide specific numbers. Three individuals, identified as armed terrorists, were killed, and three rifles were confiscated.
Search operations, both aerial and ground-based, are actively underway. The area along the Niger River has been cordoned off to locate the missing inmates. Judicial sources reported on Sunday morning that the number of escapees could be around 200.
Since Thursday, a curfew has been imposed across the entire commune of Tillabéri, the main insurgency zone located in the “three borders” region. Pedestrians, motorcycles, and vehicles are prohibited from moving after 9 p.m. In its latest operations bulletin, the army urged the public to remain vigilant and requested anyone with information to contact the authorities.
Koutoukalé prison has experienced two previous attacks, in 2016 and 2019, both of which were repelled by security forces.