Heavily armed gunmen have attacked a prison in the center of Niger's capital, Niamey, killing at least two security guards and injuring several others.

The casualties come after a group of masked gunmen opened fire at the entrance to the central prison in Niamey and fought their way inside the complex.

"Armed men came and attacked the central prison. They shot at the guards and were able to penetrate the prison, probably to liberate their colleagues. They are likely elements of MUJAO and Boko Haram," Souleymane Magagi, a state security agent told reporters.


The assault comes less than two weeks after two car bombings struck a military camp and a French-run uranium mine in Nigerien towns of Agadez and Arlit, killing at least 26 people including 20 soldiers.

The Malian group known as Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

These are the first such attacks in Niger since the country helped France as part of a West African force to battle fighters in neighboring Mali.

France launched the war on Mali on January 11, under the pretext of halting the advance of rebel fighters in the country. The war has caused a serious humanitarian crisis in northern areas of Mali and has displaced thousands of people who now live in deplorable conditions.