Laleye Dipo in Minna
Unknown gunmen last Sunday night attacked the Minna medium security prison in the Niger State capital, freeing not less than 20 inmates.
The gunmen were reported to have attacked the prison from its southern part hiding under the cover of darkness.
It was learnt that they came in their numbers in an army colour pickup van and shot sporadically into the air while other gunmen scaled the fence to set the inmates free.
The incident occurred at about 9p.m. when it was about to rain.
So far, two people, one of them a prison official and the other, a commercial motorcyclists, who must have conveyed the official to the prison have been confirmed killed.
It was said the gunmen who caught the prison officials napping, took away several people in the pickup van they came in.
When THISDAY inquired from residents of the area, they said the shooting lasted for about 45 minutes and that some inmates escaped with gunshot injuries.
Some inmates however remained within the prison despite their freedom by the gunmen.
Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Mohammed Abubakar, when contacted, confirmed the incident, describing it as “a jail break.â€
He said: “For further details, please contact the Prison PRO.â€
Effort to get the Prison PRO as at 8a.m. yesterday was abortive as his cell phone was not connecting to network.
