Prison break:175 inmates escape in jail-break in Akure

Posted by: b3rrilyn in GIST, News Jul 1, 2013

More than 170 inmates have been set free during an attack at the Olokuta medium security prison at the Nigerian Prison Service (NPS) in Akure Sunday morning.

The incident occured when some heavily armed gunmen struck at the prison facility with explosives and other dangerous weapons shooting sporadically into the air.

The incidence happened around 12:10am in the early hours of the day, leaving no fewer than four person injured during a gun battle.

Sources at the prison revealed that the bandits were calling on the names of those who they wanted to release while they gathered them in a corner and broke the prison for them to escape.

�They came and were calling the names of people they want to set free. There is this particular name from Edo state that they were calling simultaneously. I think he is a prominent criminal in the prison. The name is from those benin area”, Our source said.

Speaking to reporters shortly after the incidence, Comptroller of the prison in the state Tunde Olayiwola said some of the inmates who escaped during the jail break have been arrested while one officer sustained degrees of injuries during the attack.

Olayiwole who refused giving the name of the officer revealed that the injured officer has been rushed to the hospital for further treatment.

He said some of his men are still on the trail for those who escaped from the jail break saying those who were caught were lured through a
mobile-talking device as signal were sent immediately to the men of the Nigerian Police Service.

The state Attorney general and commissioner for Justice, Eyitayo Jegede who visited the scene described it as pathetic and said the state government will summoned the top officials of the prison to look into the matter.

�With what we are seeing here, the state government will look into the incidence and if need be, we will summoned all the security chiefs in the and top prison officers,” Jegede said

Also, the commissioner for police, Patrick Dukumor who visited the scene for on the spot assessment described the incident as ‘unfortunate’ and promised the perpetrator will be brought to book.

He said, �I can assure you that the perpetrator of this incidence will be brought to book and any culprit found behind this will be dealt with severally”

Also, the Commissioner of police has sent a large detachment of security agents and two armored personnel carriers to station at the prison to ensure maximum security within and outside the vicinity of the prison.

Meanwhile, Ondo state command of Nigeria police has dispelled rumours that the attack on the Olokuta medium security prison in Akure was carried out by Boko Haram insurgents.

Addressing journalists at the police Headquarters in Akure, the command’s spokesperson, Wole Ogodo said though information at his disposal was sketchy at press time, the situation has been brought under control.

He hinted that the head of security agencies in the state would soon meet and brainstorm on how to apprehend the sponsors as well as arrest all those who escaped.