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Gunmen open fire on prison in Niger's capital Gunmen open fire on prison in Niger's capital
(35 minutes later)
Gunmen have attacked a prison in the centre of Niger's capital, Niamey, officials and witnesses say.Gunmen have attacked a prison in the centre of Niger's capital, Niamey, officials and witnesses say.
Justice Minister Marou Amadou told the AFP news agency that at least two guards had been killed.Justice Minister Marou Amadou told the AFP news agency that at least two guards had been killed.
The assailants had not yet been identified, Mr Amadou added. One report said they had entered the prison. Some of the gunmen are reported to have entered the prison, which has been surrounded by the security forces.
The attack comes a week after militants linked to al-Qaeda launched deadly attacks on a military base and French-operated uranium mine in the country. The attack comes days after suicide bombings at a military base in Agadez and a French-operated uranium mine at Arlit killed more than 20 people.
The al-Qaeda-affiliated Signed-in-Blood Battalion said its leader, Algerian militant Mokhtar Belmokhtar, had masterminded the assaults.
They were carried out in co-ordination with another group, the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (Mujao), the group claimed.