This Thursday, July 11, Nigerian authorities announced that several prisoners had escaped from a high-security prison near Niamey where jihadists are being held. In “A Radio Message”The Home Ministry held a consultation on Friday “Report” Governor of Tillaberry Region (West). “Prisoners Escape from Kaudogale Detention Center”Located about fifty kilometers from the capital on July 11. “Upon receipt of this radio message request you to put all search units on alert”In this message the ministry writes.

The ministry did not specify the number of prisoners who escaped from the country’s maximum security prison, where the most dangerous prisoners were held, and specifically the number of jihadist elements captured on the battlefield. He also asks the security forces “Double monitoring of the entire security system” Put in place. The district authorities of Tillaberi imposed a curfew in the area on Thursday evening, banning the movement of pedestrians, two-wheelers and vehicles from 9 pm local time (to 8 pm).

“Terrorist leaders” among fugitives

According to the Nigerian site “Actuniger.com” of “Terrorist Leaders” Among the escaped prisoners. In search of the escaped prisoners, the Ministry asks the Tillaberi authorities “Involve traditional leaders and religious leaders. He also asks them”Create awareness among people to denounce suspicious persons. “District of Dillaberry, within the area known as the “Zone“Three Borders” — between Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso — has become a haven for Sahelian jihadists affiliated with the Islamic State and al-Qaeda. It has been under a state of emergency since 2017.

Koutoukalé prison has already suffered two recent attacks. In May 2019, about ten armed assailants on motorcycles were chased away by security forces. One of them who was wearing a bomb belt was killed. In October 2016, jihadists from the Islamic State in the Great Sahara (EIGS), still on motorcycles and armed with explosives, had already attacked the prison. Army repulsed an attack.