22 escape in Niger jailbreak, Boko Haram main suspects

The Nigerien government says 22 prisoners have escaped from the central prison in Niamey during an attack launched by militants.

Justice Minister Marou Amadou said late on Sunday that the prison was attacked on Saturday and two prison guards were killed in the incident, The Associated Press reported on Monday.

Boko Haram militants are the main suspects.

Malian national Cheibane Ould Hama, who was convicted of killing four Saudi Arabians and a US citizen, also escaped during the jailbreak, Amadou added.

He went on to say that the Nigerien security forces are tracking down the escapees.

The Boko Haram militant group, headquartered in neighboring Nigeria, says its goal is to overthrow the Nigerian government.

The group — whose name means “Western education is forbidden” — has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly gun and bomb attacks in various parts of Nigeria since 2009.

Over the past four years, violence in the north of Africa’s most populous country has claimed the lives of 3,600 people, including killings by the security forces.