The military government in Niger says it has foiled an attempt by the deposed former President, Mohamed Bazoum, to escape from custody.

The attempted escape happened around 03:00 (02:00 GMT) on Thursday, military spokesman Amadou Abdramane said on state television.

“The ousted President Mohamed Bazoum and his family, his two cooks and two security elements, tried to escape from his place of detention,” he said. 

The escape bid failed and “the main actors and some of the accomplices” were arrested, he added. 

The elaborate plan involved Mr Bazoum getting to a hideout on the outskirts of the capital Niamey, Mr Abdramane said.

The group had then planned to fly out on helicopters “belonging to a foreign power” towards Nigeria, he added, denouncing Mr Bazoum’s “irresponsible attitude”. 

It is not clear where the former president and the rest of the group are now being held. An investigation into the alleged escape attempt has been launched. 

The Niger military overthrew the democratically elected president in a coup on 26 July. 

(BBC)