The ministry statement did not say how many prisoners had escaped Koutoukale, which lies 50 km (30 miles) northwest of the capital Niamey.

The West African country has been under military rule since a coup in 2020, and tensions have risen over the junta's failure to stick to a promised ti...

The decree came after more than 80 political parties and civil groups called for presidential elections "as soon as possible" and an end to military r...