The suspected gunmen stormed the Abolongo correctional facility in Oyo town at around 9:30 p.m. on Friday. after using dynamite to blow up walls.
Nigeria’s Correctional Service, Oyo State Command, said 837 waiting prisoners escaped from the Abolongo Correctional Center in Oyo City when suspected gunmen attacked the facility.
Public relations officer Olanrewaju Anjorin announced in a statement on Saturday in Ibadan.
The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) recalled the gunmen who allegedly stormed the facility at around 9:30 p.m. on Friday. after using dynamite to blow up walls.
Mr Anjorin said all 837 waiting prisoners had been released by the assailants and noted that the cells holding inmates and detainees had not been destroyed.
He said a total of 262 prisoners who escaped were arrested while 575 are still at large.
“The invaders reached the center, fully armed with sophisticated weapons, and after a brutal encounter with the guards, they entered the courtyard with dynamite to blow up the walls.
“All inmates awaiting trial were forced to leave the detention center, and the cells that housed inmates and detainees were not destroyed.
“Meanwhile, a total of 262 fugitives have been arrested and 575 are still at large.
“Following instructions from the chief change controller, Haliru Nababa, State Superintendent Noel Ailewon started the search and re-arrest after visiting the scene,” Anjorin said.
He said the state controller had assured the public that no effort would be spared to recapture the fleeing inmates.
He said the Controller-general had requested credible information to help security services track down escaped prisoners.
He said the Oyo Detention Center was established in 2007 with a capacity of 160 detainees but had a total population of 907 at the time of the attack.
“Of this number, awaiting trial persons were 837 representing 92 per cent with just 64 convicts,” Mr Anjorin said.
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