Ekwulobia Prison comes to mind as Boko Haram attacks prison in Niger

Ekwulobia Prison comes to mind as Boko Haram attacks prison in Niger State

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists launched an attack on a prison in the southern Niger town of Diffa late on Saturday, military sources said. This was in an apparent bid to free fellow terrorist held there.

Three of the assailants and one soldier were reportedly killed before the attack was repelled, the sources said. Boko Haram also attacked the prison in February.

This is once again bringing to focus the dangers of having Boko Haram terrorists in Ekwulobia prison.

'When the attack was repelled, the assailants fled, probably back into the town,' one military source said. 'We are searching for them.'

A second military source said the attackers may have been Boko Haram cell  resident in Diffa, as no one had seen them enter the town.

Boko Haram has sworn allegiance to Islamic State (ISIS), and have been reported to have changed their name to the Islamic State of West Africa (ISWA).