Niger junta says ousted President Mohamed Bazoum tried to escape

Former president Mohamed Bazoum attempted to flee custody in the night along with his family, cooks and security. 

The military government in Niger says it has foiled an attempt by the deposed Bazoum. 

There were plans for the group to fly out on helicopters but the plan was foiled, a military spokesman said. 

Bazoum has been under house arrest since members of his presidential guard staged a coup in late July. 

The attempted escape happened at around 03:00 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.