Benin jailbreak: We don’t know the number of inmates who escaped, says prisons spokesman

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) says investigation has begun into the jailbreak in Benin and Oko prisons in Edo state by suspected hoodlums. 

The hoodlums had broken into the prisons on Monday during the #EndSARS protest in the state. 

Tens of prisoners were reportedly freed from their cells. 

Reacting in a statement, Austin Njoku, spokesperson of the service, said efforts were ongoing to determine the exact number of prisoners who escaped, adding that the figure of casualties has also not been confirmed.  

“Custodial centres were attacked this morning by suspected protesters under the #EndSARS protests in Benin and Oko in Benin,” he said.

“Efforts are underway to arrest the situation and return normalcy back to the centres. The armed squad personnel of the service are working tirelessly to bring the situation under control.”

He also condemned the attackers for “their non-peaceful, and violent destructive actions”.

For close to two weeks now, protesters across the country have taken to the streets to demand an end to police brutality in Nigeria. 

In some states, the protests were hijacked by hoodlums, and this led to crisis which have resulted in deaths, while several other persons have sustained injuries.

Meanwhile, following the jailbreak, a 24-hour curfew has been declared in Edo.