The Controller-General Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) , Ja’afaru Ahmed, has confirmed that six inmates were shot dead by security operatives while trying to escape from the Abakaliki Prison during a jailbreak last Thursday. Ahmed made this confirmation while addressing the press during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi on Friday 19th August, 2016. This was put out in a statement from Prisons spokesman, DCP Francis Enobore on Sunday. The statement stated in parts that, “Regrettably, at the end of the fracas, six prisoners died and 10 others were injured. Six prison officers were severely injured. However, both staff and inmates are responding to treatment with some already discharged from the hospital.”
Speaking on the situation, the Controller-General said trouble started when prison officials were about to carry out routine cell-search in the morning but the inmates in a particular cell resisted the exercise. According to him, “They suddenly became riotous, broke other cells and released the inmates. They eventually broke into the workshop to arm themselves with dangerous weapons and severely attacked some staff trapped in the yard while others made for the main gate and pulled it down. Meanwhile, the prisons Armed Squad and men from other security agencies on guard outside the perimeter fence were firing warning shots to deter the rampaging inmates but a number of them rushed out to escape. The bold attempt was resisted by the combined team of armed personnel who prevented what would have turned into a catastrophic security situation had the inmates succeeded in escaping.”
