Niger says it foiled attempted escape by deposed President Bazoum

KIGALI, Rwanda

The military administration in Niger foiled an attempt by deposed President Mohamed Bazoum to flee the country this week, an official said.

Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane, the government spokesperson, said Bazoum tried to escape in the wee hours of Thursday together with his family, two cooks, and two security personnel.

“The carefully planned attempted escape was thwarted thanks to the swift and determined action of the Nigerien defense and security forces,” Abdramane said on national television late Thursday.

“The situation is under control and the main perpetrators of the escape attempt, as well as their accomplices, were arrested.”

Abdramane added that an investigation has been launched by the public prosecutor which would shed more light on the escape attempt.

Bazouom, who was detained at the presidential palace following his ouster, had planned to flee to Nigeria using a “helicopter belonging to a foreign power” which had been organized to evacuate him from Tchangarey neighborhood on the northern outskirts of the capital Niamey, according to Abdramane.

Niger plunged into turmoil on July 26 when Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, a former commander of the presidential guard, led a military intervention that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.