Niger Junta Thwarts Ousted President Bazoum's Daring Escape Attempt
Niger's military foils ousted President Bazoum's escape bid to Nigeria after his three-month custody following a coup, preventing his planned flight across the border
The military government of Niger announced on Thursday that it had thwarted an attempted escape by former President Mohamed Bazoum. Bazoum, who had been in custody for three months following a coup, planned to flee to neighboring Nigeria during the late hours of Wednesday night. The junta revealed that Bazoum intended to escape with his family and two domestic workers, assisted by security allies who organized transportation to the outskirts of the capital city, Niamey. From there, they planned to be flown to Nigeria in two helicopters belonging to an unidentified foreign nation, according to a statement by the junta.
"The immediate response from the defense and security forces successfully foiled the plot to destabilize our nation," stated a spokesperson for the junta. They further disclosed that "the primary instigators and several of their associates have been apprehended."
Mahamadou Hamidou/Reuters
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Bazoums whereabouts are not immediately known.
The deposed Nigerien leader - who has yet to resign as president-had been placed under house arrest since the military junta overthrew him on July 27.
In August, Bazoum informed CNN through text messages, with his consent, that he had endured isolation, lack of electricity, and was compelled by his captors to consume plain rice and pasta.
Subsequently, the junta declared that they had acquired the requisite evidence to charge Bazoum with "high treason."
The junta has maintained its grip on power despite pressure from Niger's Western and regional allies.
Recently, the United States announced that it would suspend its assistance programs to Niger, which includes funding, and officially recognized Bazoum's removal as a coup.
The military leaders claimed that they toppled Bazoum due to the nation's security issues and economic difficulties.
Niger's coup represents the most recent in a series of military takeovers in the tumultuous West African Sahel region, which has long been plagued by jihadist insurgency.
