Niger jailbreak: Immigration puts commands on alert over influx of terrorists

The management of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has alerted its commands, especially the ones along the Nigeria – Republic of Niger borders over a possible movement of suspected terrorists who escaped from a Niger prison into the country.

 This was contained in an internal memo from the office of the Deputy Comptroller General, Border Management, to Assistant Comptrollers General in Zone A, B, C, D, E, F, G and all Comptrollers of border posts across the country.

 The memo titled “Mass Prison Break in Niger Republic: Hundreds of International Terror Kingpins Escapes”, alerted the senior officers to the possibility of the escapees trying to cross over to Nigeria to continue their criminal activities.

 “The Nigeria Immigration Service NIS is in receipt of int-information on the subject matter which took place at Koutoukale prison in Niger on Thursday, July 11th, 2024 that led to the escape of hundreds of terrorists, criminals, and drug traffickers.

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 “Consequently, all Comptroller of Commands and OCs of Formations along the Niger-Nigeria Border are instructed to be on red alert. With the intent of ensuring that you track all suspicious movement and arrest any such prison escapee and report same to the Service Headquarters.

 “This circular becomes very important as it is suspected that such criminal elements may sneak into Nigeria to join other terrorist gangs to continue to perpetrate mayhem and menace in Nigeria.

 “All officers working along the Nigerian border with Niger are therefore expected to increase their vigilance and partner with other security agencies in tracking these fleeing terrorists,” it said.

 The spokesman for the NIS, Kenneth Udo, who confirmed the memo, said the internal memo was a precautionary message to the formations, adding that “we are on the lookout for them.”

 When asked if any of the fleeing terrorist suspects had been apprehended within the Nigerian borders, Udo said he had no information about it yet, promising to get our reporter updated when there are new developments.

 Authorities in Niger had declared a curfew in the volatile Tillaberi region after several prisoners escaped from the heavily fortified jail known to hold jihadists.

 The incident at Koutoukale prison located about 50 kilometres north-west of the capital, Niamey, took place after two other attempted jailbreaks at the facility – in 2016 and 2019 – were repelled.

 The country’s Ministry of Interior did not specify how many prisoners escaped in the latest jailbreak.

 However, captured Islamist fighters from groups linked to both al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in the region are believed to be among them.

 Meanwhile, the Nigerien Army in its information bulletin has claimed that a large number of the escaping prisoners have been captured and some neutralised by the Nigerien Defense and Security Forces (FDS).