General Abderrahmane Chiani, the head of Niger’s military authority, issued a directive to abolish local councils and for a military officer to take over the administration of the capital.

The municipal, township and regional councils, which were last elected in 2020, were dissolved without any explanation of the decision.

National Radio published a decree appointing persons to occupy leadership positions in the army and police, as well as specifying which government employees will be appointed to manage local authorities.

In August, Abdirahman Chiani issued a decree to form a new transitional government.

Niger’s army seized power on July 27, sacking President Mohamed Bazoum, closing borders and declaring curfews, citing deteriorating security and economic conditions.
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#Border_Closure #Curfew #General_Abderrahmane_Chiani #Municipal_Councils #Niger #President_Mohamed_Bazoum

The high-security Koutukale prison, near the Nigerian capital Niamey, has seen hundreds of prisoners escape following a massive mutiny involving jihadist militiamen.

Until now, the exact number of escaped prisoners is not known, but the prison contained about 200 people accused of terrorism, according to what the Daily Post reported.

According to eyewitnesses, gunshots and explosions were heard in the area at midday on Thursday, prompting guards to intervene, but by then the inmates had already taken control of the prison, smashing the armored gates and barbed wire fences.

Prison authorities said that this is not the first time the prison has witnessed escape attempts, as two previous attempts were thwarted in 2016 and 2019.
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#Curfew #Jihadist_Militias #Koutukale_Prison #Niamey #Niger #Niger_River #Nigerian_Ministry_of_Interior #Terrorism #Tillaberi_Region