Unknown gunmen have attacked the Federal Correctional Centre in Kabba in Kogi State, freeing hundreds of inmates in the process.
It was reported that the gunmen killed some soldiers who mounted a barricade in the area, and killed the officers at the prison gate before invading the facility on Sunday night.
According to reports, an early Monday morning downpour aided the escape of the inmates.
The attack was confirmed in a communiqué by the Nigerian Correctional Service spokesman, Francis Enobore on Monday.
Enobore explained that the unknown gunmen in their numbers arrived at the correctional facility heavily armed and immediately engaged the guards in a fierce gun battle and in the process release hundreds of inmates
He however added that the Comptroller–General of the Service, Haliru Nababa has ordered a recapture procedure to be activated immediately and detailed investigation carried out even as he leads a team to assess the situation.
Nababa also appealed to the general public to assist security operatives with useful intelligence that will assist in recapturing the escapees.
Meanwhile, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of zone 8, Lokoja, Ayuba Ede also confirmed the killing of two soldiers on road block before Kabba Correctional Centre, Kogi State.
As of the time of the invasion, 294 inmates were in custody out of which 224 were pre-trial detainees and 70 convicted inmates.
