210 Inmates Escaped From Niger Prison – Dambazau

The Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau has confirmed that 210 inmates escaped from the Minna Maximum Prisons in Niger State.

The inmates escaped after an invasion of the prison by some gunmen on Sunday night.

A prison warder and a commercial motorcyclist were killed during the jailbreak as the gunmen shot sporadically. Many inmates, which Dambazau confirmed to be 210 are currently on the run.

Dambazau told journalists on Monday that out of the 210 inmates that escaped, over 35 inmates who have been rearrested.

The Minister, alongside Niger State Governor Abubakar Bello, visited the prison facility on Monday morning to ascertain the situation.

Dambazau, during the inspection, lamented over the inadequate manpower in the Nigerian Prisons. He added that plans are on to recruit more workers to enable adequate security.

The spokesperson of the prison service in Niger State, Rabiu Shuaibu had earlier confirmed the Sunday night attack on the prison which is located in Tunga area of Minna Metropolis.

He said the incident was perpetrated after the armed criminals attacked the prison and gained access after an exchange of fire with prison officials.

In 2014, a similar jailbreak occurred at the Minna maximum prisons where hundreds of inmates were freed.