The military government in Niger reported thwarting an escape attempt by the ousted former President, Mohamed Bazoum, and his entourage, including family members, cooks, and security personnel.
The group had planned to use helicopters for their getaway, but the attempt was unsuccessful.
Bazoum has been confined to his residence since a coup by members of his presidential guard in late July.
The incident occurred at approximately 03:00 (02:00 GMT) on Thursday, according to military spokesman Amadou Abdramane, as reported 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.
According to Mr. Abdramane, the complex plan called for Mr. Bazoum to travel to a hideout outside of the capital, Niamey.
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”.
The current whereabouts of the former president and his group remain undisclosed, and an investigation has been initiated.
The military in Niger seized power through a coup on July 26, mirroring similar military takeovers in neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali. These events occurred in the midst of an Islamist insurgency and an increasing Russian influence in the broader Sahel region, particularly through the Wagner mercenary group.
Despite being in captivity, Mr. Bazoum has refused to officially resign. He managed to publish an article in The Washington Post, where he described himself as a hostage and warned of the “devastating consequences for our country, our region, and the entire world” resulting from the coup.
Following Bazoum’s ousting, U.S. President Joe Biden called for his immediate release and the preservation of Niger’s hard-earned democracy. Ecowas, a regional power bloc of West African states, had set a deadline for the coup leaders to step down, but their threats of military intervention were not carried out, and the junta continues to disregard calls for the president’s release.
Mr. Bazoum’s party and family members have raised concerns about his living conditions, stating that he lacks access to running water, electricity, and fresh supplies.