Posted by By John Ighodaro on
AS the Controller of Prisons in Rivers State, Mr. I. A. Akombo received a query from the federal authorities in connection with the jailbreak in Port Harcourt, the prison authorities are blaming NEPA for contributing to the escape.
PORT HARCOURT - AS the Controller of Prisons in Rivers State, Mr. I. A. Akombo received a query from the federal authorities in connection with the jailbreak in Port Harcourt, the prison authorities are blaming NEPA for contributing to the escape.
Giving an account of how the inmates broke jail, the Prisons PRO, Rivers State Command, Dr Gladday Jaja said in a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt that 'on Friday June 17, 2005 at about 7.00pm, some prisoners started demonstrating in the cells.
'The Controller of Prisons was contacted, he as well contacted the Commissioner of Police, and more armed Policemen were sent to the Port Harcourt Prison to support the Prisons Armed Squad to beef-up security in the Prison."
He noted 'unfortunately, there was power failure and there is no alternate power supply at the Port Harcourt Prison. Efforts were made for NEPA to restore light to the Area, which eventually came at about 11.00pm.
'Between 8-11pm when the Prison yard was in darkness, Armed Robbery Suspects and other prisoners climbed out of their cells through the roof, and through their cells' doors which were broken by them, and the prisoners, numbering 2013 came out (of their cells).
'They broke the Chief Warders' stores and removed cutlasses, rods and others and attacked the Prison officers on duty in the Prison yard. The officers retreated to the Prison-gate."
Continuing, the statement said, 'the prisoners used their beds, benches, and others to climb the perimeter wall. Two lavatory gutters were excavated wider, and some prisoners crawled through them and escaped. Sounds of gunshot from unknown persons were heard from the waterfront.
'At about 11.00pm, when NEPA restored power supply to the area, the excavated lavatory gutter escape route were recaptured. Consequently, the Prisoners moved to the prison-gate and tried to break out. In an attempt to stop the prisoners four died and two sustained gunshot injures. Out of 2013 inmates, 165 escaped. One Armed Robbery Suspect was recaptured at Elele by a Prison Inspector, Mr. Goodluck Njoku."