The military junta of the Republic of Niger has disclosed that the ousted Nigerien President, Mohamed Bazoum, tried to escape to Nigeria.
The Nigerien junta said it thwarted the escape attempt by former President Bazoum who has been imprisoned by the military since the July 26, 2023, coup despite international calls for his release.
The interim authorities said that Bazoum and his family, with the help of accomplices in the security forces, planned to drive a vehicle to the ouskirts of the capital Niamey and catch a helicopter to neighbouring Nigeria.
“The strong reaction of the defense and security forces made it possible to foil this plan to destabilize our country,” a military spokesman said on national television.
According to the authorities, presently, Bazoum reportedly feels distraught without the support of France or the international community.
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