escape of two prisoners
Two prisoners of the Federal Prisons in
Ahoada in Nigeria¡¯s Rivers state were killed yesterday in a jail break
that happened at about 5.45 pm.
Nine others sustained injuries in the daring escape from a jail house,
50 kilometers from the capital of Port Harcourt
However, four inmates escaped. And the authorities have launched a man
hunt for them.
P.M.NEWS sources said water shortage was the immediate cause of the riot
that led to thejail break.
Sources told P.M.NEWS that the inmates had refused to enter their cells
when they were asked to do so.In the standoff, one inmate was said to
have grabbed a cooking pot and hit one of the warders. then a fight
broke out.
After subduing the warders,the prisoners moved to the cells of the
Awaiting Trials and succeeded in breaking the lock.
However, the warders were able to call for help, leading to arrival of
soldiers of the Joint task Force and policemen, who mounted strategic
positions around the prison.
Nevertheless, four prisoners still escaped.
P.M NEws sources said that Ahoada Prison is heavily overcrowded,
cramping 502 inmates in a space meant for 202.ed.
The prison lacks water and the prisoners are poorly treated.
Mr Lawan Aderidigbe,a Deputy Comptroller of Prisons in charge of Ahoada
Prisons confirmed the incident .
However,the Mr.Cassidy Ikegbidi,the Chairmenof Ahoada East local
government council has condemned the action of the inmates. He commended
the timely intervention of the security agencies in thwarting what
would have been a major jail break.
The local Government boss appealed to people of the LGA to remain calm
and law abiding as things have been brought under control.
Ben Ugwuegbulam,the spokeman of the Rivers Police also confirmed the
incident but was silent on the escapees. P.M News