Gunmen attack prison, release 175 inmates in south-west Nigeria
Copyright : APA
The suspected hoodlums, who were fully armed, arrived at the prison premises around 12:05 am and shot sporadically in to the air.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen gained entrance into the prison after they blew off the wall leading into the cell, and in the process, a prison officer was injured.
The prison which is about a kilometre to the headquarters of the 32nd Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Owena Barrack, was riddled with bullets.
The Ondo State Prison Controller, Mr. Tunde Olayiwola, confirmed the incident and described the attack as unusual, saying “the prison authorities will soon bring the culprits to book”.
Olayiwola dispelled rumors that the attack was masterminded by the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram; and added: “We cannot specifically identify those behind the attack, but the attack is unusual.”
“One of our officers was injured during the attack and he is in the hospital right now receiving treatment but I am assuring everyone that those behind the attack will be brought to book,” he said.
He said the attack was the first of its kind in the history of the prison.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Patrick Dokumor, was one of the early callers, while some government functionaries led by the Attorney General, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, had also visited the scene.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, Mr. Wole Ogodo, confirmed the attack and said the command had contacted the prison authorities.
According to him, the information gathered on the jail break is still sketchy.
“The incident has nothing to do with terrorism. I will like to implore the people of the state to continue with their normal duty.
“I am assuring them that the police will continue to protect lives and properties of the people of the state,” Ogodo said.
Copyright : © APA
No comments:
Post a Comment