Unknown gunmen have been trapped inside the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Jos, Plateau State, after they invaded the facility to free inmates.
In a statement on Sunday evening, the spokesman of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Francis Enobore, confirmed the gunmen stormed the facility in large numbers with sophisticated weapons.
According to him, the gunmen engaged the prison guards in a gun battle before they were trapped in the facility by the security operatives who immediately deployed to the custodial centre.
The statement reads; “The Medium Security Custodial Centre in Jos, Plateau State came under attack by gunmen who reportedly stormed the facility in large number with sophisticated weapons.
“The invaders were said to have arrived at the Custodial Center at about 1720hrs and immediately made for the main gate where they engaged the armed squad personnel in a gun battle before breaking into the yard.
“Although they gained entrance to the yard, they are however trapped within as men from sister security services were immediately mobilised to assist the armed guards to cordon the perimeter wall and the entire area.
“Reinforcement from the response squad of the Service has also been mobilised to the center.
“The situation is presently under control as the attackers firing power is being subdued by superior fire from a combined team of security agencies. Update will be made available as event unfolds.”
This comes barely one month after many inmates escaped detention during an attack by unknown gunmen at the correctional facility in Abolongo, Oyo State.