Gunmen Assault Oko Minimum Security Prison, Edo State, Free 12 Inmates

Who attacks a minimum security prison with heavy weaponry to free inmates? Aren’t minimum security inmates those guilty of minimal offenses and/or those scheduled for release anyway? Something about this story doesn’t make sense, I just hope the authorities get to the bottom of it sooner rather than later…

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

The gunmen attacked the prison gate and overpowered the prison Arms Squard with explosives, which led to the escape of 12 prisoners.

Eye witnesses said the gunmen arrived the prison in a Toyota Coaster.

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.

Embedded Link