Niger security foiled a major attack that targeted Koutoukalé prison holding some 50 kilometers northwest of Niamey.
Armed attackers raided the prison early Monday morning but security forces managed to repel them successfully.
According to the Nigerien Interior Minister Mohamed Bazoum, the prison that holds terrorists was attacked at 03:00 GMT.
“The Koutoukalé prison which holds many terrorists, including Malians, was attacked at 4:00 this morning. The enemy was repulsed leaving some dead wearing explosive belts,” the minister said.
The attack comes after the kidnapping of an American aid on Friday who is suspected to have been taken to neighboring Mali.
“Heavily armed terrorists attacked this high security prison. They could not enter the prison because of the shooting by soldiers who were guarding it,” a security source told local and international media.
The high security prison is considered to be the safest in Niger.
