Akure prison bombed

No fewer than 175 inmates of the Olokuta Maximum Security Prison in Akure, the Ondo State capital, have been set free in an unprecedented attack on the facility.

The attack, which took place at about 12.05 am, was launched by a gang of unknown gunmen.
The gunmen shot dead two civilians and used explosives to break into the prison

They shot sporadically into the air to scare away prison officials before breaking the walls of the facility.
They reportedly entered the prison yard after breaking the keys.

“The unknown gunmen numbering over 20 came at about midnight into the Olokuta prison through the main gate after using dynamite,” Prison Comptroller Tunde Olayiwola told Reuters.

“The gunmen shot and killed two people while trying to get in … Some of the escaped prisoners have been re-arrested,” Olayiwola said, adding that some prison staff were injured in a gun battle and were receiving treatment.

The gunmen were said to have attempted to dismantle the main gate into the prison, but were unsuccessful. They then blew off the wall leading into the cells.

It was learnt that one prison official was hit by a bullet. All the inmates at the prison were set free.
Olokuta Prison, which is about one kilometre to the headquarters of the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Owena Barracks was reportedly riddled with bullets.

The prison was established in 1989. It was built to accommodate 150 inmates. But at the time of the attack it had about 1,000 prisoners.

The state prison comptroller, Mr. Tunde Olayiwola, described the attack as unusual, stressing that the prison authority would arrest and prosecute the culprits.

He ruled out the possibility of the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram being the masterminds of the attack, saying the incident happened around 12: 05 am.

“We cannot specifically identify those behind the attack, but the incident is unusual. One of our officers was injured during the attack and he is in the hospital right now receiving treatment, but I am assuring that those behind the attack will brought to book,” Olayiwola maintained.

The comptroller said the attack was the first of its kind in the history of the prison.
Unconfirmed reports said some of the prisoners who were set free by the hoodlums has been arrested by security agents.

Commissioner of Police, Patrick Dokumo and some top government officials have reportedly visited the prison.

Police spokesman Wole Ogodo confirmed the incident, maintaining that it had no link with Boko Haram.
He said: “This incident has nothing to do with terrorism. People shouldcontinue with their normal duties. The police will continue to protect lives and properties.”

Ogodo urged anybody with information on the incident to give it to the police, pledging that such will be treated with utmost confidentiality.

According to him, all security agents are working to track down the culprits for prosecution.