Updated: Gunmen attacking Jos Prison trapped, subdued

Jos-Prison

Jos Prison or Correctional Centre

By Polycarp Auta/Jos

The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has spoken on the attack of the Jos prison by gunmen on Sunday.

Mr Francis Enobore, the National Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the service said the gunmen invaded the prison yard at about 5:20 p.m.

“The Medium Security Custodial Centre in Jos, Plateau State came under attack by gunmen who stormed the facility in large number with sophisticated weapons.

“The invaders were said to have arrived at the Center at about 5: 20 p.m. and immediately made for the main gate where they engaged the armed squad personnel in a gun battle before breaking into the yard.

“Although they gained entrance into the yard, they were, however, trapped within as men from sister security services were immediately mobilised to assist the armed guards to cordon the perimeter wall and the entire area.

“Reinforcement from the response squad of the Service has also been mobilised to the centre.

“The situation is presently under control as the attackers’ firing power was subdued by superior fire from a combined team of security agencies,” he said.

He did not indicate the casualties.

P.M.News reported on Sunday that an attempt to jailbreak by five inmates was foiled by the guards.

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The PRO promised to make more details available as events unfolded.

The Police Command in Plateau in another statement said it arrested eight of the inmates who had earlier escaped during the attack on the Jos Correctional centre.

ASP Ubah Ogaba, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) said of the eight fleeing inmates, seven were rearrested by the police while one voluntarily surrendered himself.

“Yesterday, at about 5:20 p.m., the medium-security custodial centre in Jos came under attack by yet-to-be identified gunmen.

“Immediately we received the report, the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Bartholomew Onyeka, who led reinforcement to the scene, directed that the entire centre be cordoned.

“The CP also ordered immediate stop and search and seven inmates who escaped were re-arrested by the Police and are in Custody.

“One of them voluntarily surrendered himself to the Police,” Ogaba said.

The PPRO said that Policemen and other security personnel are currently on the ground to effectively deprive the hoodlums of the space they desire to perpetrate their evil acts.

Ogaba promised to make details available as the search for the other escaped inmates continues.

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