Niger’s military rulers have said they prevented ousted President Mohamed Bazoum from fleeing custody.
According to Amadou Abdramane, the junta’s spokesman, the attempted escape happened around 03:00 (02:00 GMT) on Thursday.
The military spokesman, who spoke in a live broadcast, said the former president tried to flee with his family, cooks, and security personnel.
He added that there were plans for the group to fly out on helicopters, but it was foiled.
“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, 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”.
Bazoum has been under house arrest since members of his presidential guard staged a coup in late July.
