Panic As Hundreds Of Terrorists, Criminals Reportedly Escape In Niger Mass Prison Break

Hundreds of terrorists, criminals and drug traffickers have reportedly escaped from the Koutoukalé prison, located near the capital city of Niamey, in the Niger Republic.

Naija News learnt that the incident which happened on Thursday resulted in a violent scene as the overwhelmed guards allowed inmates to escape with weapons and vehicles.

An eyewitness who spoke with Daily Post said gunshots and explosions were heard from inside the prison around midday, prompting a quick response from security forces.

However, the inmates had already gained control of the prison, breaking through armoured gates, barbed wire, and trenches.

The country’s Interior Minister reportedly issued a radio message to all governors, confirming the escape and urging village chiefs and religious leaders to report any suspicious individuals.

A curfew has been declared in the Tillabéri region, and the entire River Niger region is on high alert.

ECOWAS Court Strikes Out Suit On Niger Sanctions

In other news, the ECOWAS Court of Justice on Thursday struck out a lawsuit regarding the sanctions imposed on Niger following the military coup on July 26, 2023.

The court presided over by Justices Edward Asante, Dupe Atoki, and Sengu Koroma, determined that the matter was moot as the sanctions had already been lifted by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The suit, initiated on August 8 by the Incorporated Trustees of Egalitarian Mission for Africa (EMA), international relations professor Bola Akinterinwa, and lawyer Nuhu Dantani, was dismissed during proceedings where Ifunanya Okeke and Emmanuel Patrick represented the applicants.

The applicants sought relief against the sanctions, which included electricity cuts and restrictions on movement imposed by ECOWAS in response to the coup.

In court, Okeke moved for discontinuation of the suit, citing that the original issues had been overtaken by events, notably the restoration of electricity and the lifting of movement restrictions in Niger.

This led to the court’s decision to strike out the case, with the respondents, represented by Mustapha Abubakar and Oluwarotimi Ibitoye from the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja, offering no objection and not seeking costs.