Niger’s junta had on Thursday, October 19 revealed that it had foiled an escape attempt by expelled President Mohamed Bazoum who has been jailed by the military since the July 26 coup in spite of the international calls for his release.
The interim authorities had stated that Bazoum and his family, with the aid of accomplices in the security forces, had plotted to drive a vehicle to the outskirts of the capital ciry, Niamey and take a helicopter to neighbouring country Nigeria.
As at the time of making this report, Reuters had not been able to confirm the claim and Bazoum could not he reached either as his whereabouts are unknown.
Niger’s coup had been one of five that have swept West Africa’s central Sahel region in under three years, leaving a vast band of arid terrain south of the Sahara Desert under the control of military officers.
Note that Bazoum’s party and family members have disclosed that he has had no access to running water, electricity nor fresh produces prior to his escape attempt claim. This revelation had prompted castigation from former western allies.
