JAIL BREAK ATTEMPT FOILED IN EBONYI AS INMATES RIOT

Police in Ebonyi State on Thursday morning foiled a jailbreak attempt at the Abakiliki Prisons, where inmates rioted for hours.

Security sources told PREMIUM TIMES that at least two people died in the fracas.
One source said two prison officials were killed by the inmates.
Police have cordoned off all roads leading to the facility.

Gunshots could be heard intermittently as police battle to recover a firearm allegedly seized from one of the prison officials, a witness said.
It was not immediately clear why the inmates revolted.
A security source said inmates made attempts at escaping after the riot started, and had already broken through a wall when anti-riot policemen arrived and tear gassed them into submission.
The prison is located beside the police headquarters, a proximity that enabled a rapid police police response.