Again Gunmen Storm Minna Prison; Set 270 Inmates Free

Gunmen suspected to be armed robbers on
Saturday attacked Minna Medium Prison,
broke into the cells and set 270 inmates free.
Three members of the gang dressed in
`Jalamia’ (robe), stormed the facility at about
4.30p.m.
They over powered and disarmed the prison
officials; broke into the records and armoury
rooms and carted away some weapons and
bullet proof vests.
It was also gathered that scores of other
gunmen took strategic positions round the
prison in an operation that lasted for 10
minutes.
A security man who was injured at the
entrance of the prison is receiving treatment
in an undisclosed hospital in Minna.
It was gathered that as soon as the three-man
gang entered the prison, they started to fire
gun shots into the air and ordered all the
inmates out.
A prison official who spoke in condition of
anonymity said that two notorious armed
robbers and 268 inmates escaped with the
gunmen.
``We had 323 inmates in our various cells but
we are left with only 53 in one of the cells.
Our gateman was injured; they broke into our
armoury and carted away weapons and bullet
proof vest.
``From where I took cover, I saw Osama, one
of the notorious armed robbers in the prison
firing shots into the air.
`` I want to believe his gang brought the gun
and I saw him leading Ayo (Eze Ego), a
dismissed Mopol and other inmates, out.’’
The armed men later snatched a Honda Car
and escaped with it. The Public Relations
Officer, Nigeria Prison Service, Niger state
command, Malam Rabiu Mohammed,
confirmed the incident, but said that it was an
attempted jail break.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr
Emmanuel Amore, who visited the scene, said
his men found four of the inmates that
escaped and that he has directed a massive
man hunt for the inmates.
He also said that a Sienna Toyota car with
four AK47 rifles believed to have been used
by the gang had been impounded.
He said investigation had commenced.