Jail Break Aborted At Edo Correctional Centre

By Ayodele Oni

An attempted jail break at the Oko Correctional centre, Benin city, Edo state was foiled  on Thursday, by security agents.

There was reported sporadic shooting at the Centre, but eye witness confirmed that some of the prisoners were responsible while trying to escape through the fence.

Soldiers, police and vigilantes were drafted to the scene to calm down the situation.

Confirming the incident, Public Relations Officer, Edo State Command, DSC Aminu Suleman, in a statement said, “At about 12.30pm, some awaiting trial inmates, especially the recaptured escapees started a protest which led to a confrontation between them and the convicted inmates.

“Reinforcement was immediately mobilized from the State Headquarters to enforce law and order.

“The situation has been completely controlled and the Correctional Centre is calm. There was no escape of any inmates or death.

“Sister security agencies have showed solidarity by drafting their men around the outer perimeter fence to compliment Correctional Service Armed Squad personnel to ensure total security of the custodial Centre.

“The Controller, Felix Lawrence wishes to assure the general public that they should go about their normal business without any fear.

“Meanwhile, investigation into the incident has been instituted by the Controller to unravel the immediate and remote causes of the disturbance.”