Gunmen invade prison in Edo State, free 12 inmates

Heavily armed men on Sunday invaded the Oko Minimum Prison in, freeing 12 inmates.

The entire neighbourhood of the prison was woken up by heavy shootings and explosions which occurred at the early hours of today forcing many families to abandon their homes.

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The daredevil gunmen attacked the prison gate, overpowered the prison Arms Squard with explosives, believed to be improvised no fewer than 12 inmates, which led to the escape of 12 prisoners.

According to a resident of Oko community, Edokpayi, the suddenness of the attack and the noise of the explosion caused pandemonium among the people living in and around the prison.

“The entire neighbourhood of the prison was woken up by heavy shootings and explosions which occurred at the early hours of today forcing many families to abandon their homes,” he said.

Relatives and family members of inmates besieged the prison when the news spread around the State capital.

Edo State Controller of Prisons, Ewulo F. O. who confirmed the incident said that the incident was being investigated.

 Meanwhile, the Edo State Police spokesperson, Anthony Airhuoyo, said the State Command is yet to be briefed by the Divisional Police Officer, (DPO) in charge of the area.