Jailbreak in Port Harcourt, 2 killed

Two inmates of the Federal Prisons, Ahoada, Rivers State, were on Saturday feared dead while a prison staff  was hurt during a foiled jailbreak.

Details of the incident were sketchy as of the time of filing this report.

But a source at the Rivers State Prisons command said the attempted jail break was contained, but was unaware of the death of the inmates.

"I know that a member of staff was injured in the process but I don't know about about the death of any inmate. Actually, the inmates are those from the Bayelsa State command who are being kept in Ahoada prison. They were embarking on a riot," the source said.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State police command, Ben Ugwuegbulam (DSP), said the two inmates were "fatally injured," adding that the attempted jailbreak was effectively contained by a combination of various security agencies, including the police.

He explained that the attempted jailbreak failed as there was no escape route, adding that the two "fatally injured" inmates actually tried to escape through the ceiling but were shot at to prevent their escape.

"Today, 27.10 .12 at about 1700hrs, inmates of Federal Prisons, Ahoada, attempted tounlawfully break out from custody. Ahoada police area command swiftly mobilised to the scene and together with other security agencies, cordoned off the entire perimeters of the prisons.

"Consequently, the escaping inmates retreated to the confines of the prison, but two of the inmates that tried escaping through the ceiling were shot at to prevent their escape and were fatally wounded in the process. The situation has been brought under control. No escape recorded please," Ugwuegbulam said.