In a season of jail breaks, several inmates were Thursday feared killed, with many others sustaining bullet wound injuries following foiled jail break claim in Abakaliki federal prison, Ebonyi state.
Sources say more than 14 persons were killed including one prison officers and those injured and killed had been taken to the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, FETHA, for medical attention.
It is gathered that the trouble started when prisoners early today staged a revolt against poor treatment, especially inadequate feeding that has become a norm in the prison. According to an insider, angry inmates started rioting inside the prison and used every object available to attack prison officers, which left many injured.
The Prison Officers is said to have rallied and returned fire for fire which led to the killing of several inmates. Many other sustained gunshot. It is claimed that rapid response of combined team of the Prison officers, Nigeria police and Army, quickly drafted to the scene, prevented inmates, who had the guards, from escaping.
Inmates had already cracked an opening on the wall before anti-riot policemen arrived and heavily tear gassed them.
Meanwhile, soldiers and policemen have cordoned off all roads leading to the Abakaliki prisons. But gunshots were heard intermittently as security forces try to recover a firearm allegedly taken from one of the prison officers by the inmates.
The Commander of military cantonment and the Commissioner of Police have visited prison and are directing the operations to restore order.
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