Commands of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) especially those along Nigeria-Republic of Niger borders have been alerted over a possible movement of suspected terrorists who escaped from a Niger prison into the country.
Deputy Comptroller General, Border Management gave the alert in an internal memo to Assistant Comptrollers General in Zone A, B, C, D, E, F, G and all Comptrollers of border posts across the country.
Kenneth Udo, spokesman for the NIS who confirmed the memo said the internal memo was a precautionary message to the formations, adding that “we are on the lookout for them.”
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 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.
“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,” the memo said.
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.
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