Authorities in Niger enforce curfew to find escaped inmates holding jihadists

Authorities in Niger have imposed a curfew in the Tillaberi region following the escape of inmates from the heavily fortified Koutoukale prison. The Ministry of Interior issued an alert about the escape, urging increased vigilance and engagement with traditional and religious leaders to track down the fugitives. The exact number of escaped inmates and the manner of their escape remain undisclosed. The prison, located north of Niamey, houses hundreds of individuals convicted or suspected of jihadi violence originating from neighboring countries like Nigeria and the wider Sahel region. The Tillaberi government department has banned all movements in response to the breach, deploying law enforcement to ensure compliance and maintain public safety. Koutoukale prison, previously targeted by suspected jihadi fighters in 2016 and 2019, faces challenges of overcrowding, a common issue in Niger's prisons where facilities often exceed their capacity. The inmates at Koutoukale include individuals linked to armed groups associated with al Qaeda, Islamic State, and suspected Boko Haram insurgents. Niger and its neighboring countries in the central Sahel region are grappling with a growing jihadist threat, with ongoing conflicts dating back to 2012 when al Qaeda-affiliated fighters seized parts of Mali. The region has witnessed thousands of casualties and millions displaced, exacerbating a severe humanitarian crisis in some of the world's poorest nations. The recent escape from Koutoukale prison underscores the persistent security challenges faced by Niger and its efforts to combat extremist violence in the region, prompting the enforcement of a curfew and heightened security measures to locate the fugitive inmates.