Two die as over 200 inmates escape in Minna prison jailbreak
About 219 inmates escaped after a jailbreak at Minna Prison Sunday night, police say.
A prison official was said to have died during the prisoners’ escape.
Nineteen of the fleeing inmates were rearrested according to the police, and a search for others has begun.
“The police has embarked on stop and search for all vehicles and also engaged personnel on motor and foot patrol to ensure that we apprehend these inmates,’’ police boss in Niger, Dibal Yakadi said.
The spokesman of Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), Rabiu Shuaibu confirmed that a prison official and a commercial motorcyclist were killed while the prisoners were freed by gunmen who attacked the Minna Medium Security Prison.
“On Sunday, 3rd June, 2018 at about 8pm, there was a jailbreak at Minna Medium Security Prison located at Tunga area of Minna Metropolis,” Shuaibu said in a statement.
“The unfortunate incident was perpetuated by armed criminals who attacked the prison and gained access after exchange of fire with prison armed men. This led to death of a prison officer and an Okada rider who conveyed a prison officer on night duty.
“So far, through combined effort of all security agencies in the state, seven prisoners who attempted to escape have been recaptured and returned to the prison.
“The prison authority in Minna is profiling the number of fleeing inmates to ascertain the escaped prisoners. However, normalcy has returned and security agencies are working together to ensure that fleeing inmates are recaptured,” he added.
