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

The incident occurred on Thursday at Koutoukale prison located about 50 km north-west of the capital, Niamey, the interior ministry said. Two other attempted jailbreaks at the facility - in 2016 and 2019 - were repelled.

Niger’s armed forces are stretched by jihadist attacks in the west and protecting the junta which took power in last year’s coup. The ministry did not specify in its statement how many prisoners managed to escape 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.

Officials have imposed an overnight curfew throughout the Tillaberi region and ordered heightened vigilance. The curfew restricts all movement of pedestrians, bicycles, and motor vehicles.