At least one prison official was feared killed with over 20 security dogs dead on Sunday night when gunmen stormed the Federal Prison, located in Afao-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The gunmen, according to sources, numbering over 60, arrived in Hilux trucks, came with dangerous weapons such as cudgels, cutlasses, AK 47 rifles and charms.
It was also gathered that the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, has left Abuja on his way to Ekiti State to assess the situation.
As at the time of filing the story, newsmen have not been allowed into the premises of the prison.
A statement aired on the state radio, Ekiti FM 91.5, alleged that the action was carried out by thugs loyal to the All Progressives Congress.
According to the statement, the attack was aimed to set free a murder suspect, Adeniyi Adedipe, who is in the prison custody fot the murder of a former Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Chief Omolafe Aderiye.
A source said the attackers were chanting: “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.”
Sources also said some inmates were set free during the attack.
Our correspondent observed blood stains on the road leading to the prison, an indication that some people might have been seriously wounded during the attack.
As journalists were waiting for briefing, one of the prisoners that escaped walked in, saying he ran out when he heard sporadic shooting at night but had to come back.
The Controller of the Prison, Fadipe Abolarin Kehinde, while addressing journalists at the gate, confirmed the attack, but denied loss of life during the attack.
Kehinde said Adedipe, popularly known as Apase, was still in their custody.
He said: “We are moving around to assess the situation.
“It was not a jail break, but an attack on the prison.
“The main entrance of the prison was broken.
“What happened is that we were attacked from outside not from within.
“They came massively with different weapons.
“They attacked our men on duty and we have been here since 10.30 yesterday (Sunday).”
On those that escaped from prison, Kehinde said his men were already out to re-arrest them.
He did not however give the figure of those that escaped.
Moro was still being expected from Abuja as at press time.
Also a woman, crying profusely and held by some prison officials on both sides, was seen being led into the prison premises.
“We have some that have been recaptured and kept in police cells,” a source said.
Source:
The Eagle Online
