It has been confirmed that twenty-two inmates have escaped from one of Niger’s main prisons within the nation’s capital.
The attack was allegedly carried out by Islamic militants and is only one of many recent incidents reported in Niger. An attack on the Agadez army base left 18 soldiers and one civilian dead, while a near-simultaneous bombing at French group Areva’s uranium mine killed one and injured 14.
The Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa and also an Al-Qaeda affiliate group, Signed in Blood Battalion have taken credit for the attacks. These groups have cited the attacks were retaliation for Niger’s military intervention in Mali.
The attack on the Niamey prison resulted in two guards being fatally injured, while three others were seriously wounded. It is now being speculated how the attack started but is commonly believed to of originated by a member of Mujao grabbing a gun from a guard, and shooting dead three guards and a civilian.
Members of the group are also purportedly to have been stationed outside the prison who then opened fire, the officials said. Some were reported to have even entered the building further helping the prisoners escape.
Justice Minister Amadou revealed;
“It has emerged from initial investigations at the site that the aggressors obviously benefited from outside complicity regarding the weapon introduced into the prison,” he said.
Nigerien gendarmes are reported to have later arrived at the prison to help the guards, who remained under fire for around 45 minutes. Police meanwhile blocked off roads leading to the facility.
The justice minister said that Malian national Cheibane Ould Hama, convicted of killing four Saudis and a US citizen, was among those who escaped and is being “actively sought”.
