15 inmates escape from prison

15 inmates who were imprisoned at the Nsukka Prison in Enugu state have escaped, incoming reports say.

The inmates broke out of their cells on Tuesday, August 9, 2016, and scaled the prison fence, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

“The inmates carefully opened their cells and scaled the perimeter fence of the prisons,” a prison source told NAN.

“Before prison officials on night duty knew what was happening, about 15 inmates had escaped.”

The jailbreak has also been confirmed by the Controller of the prison, Lawrence Okonkwo who however refused to specify how many prisoners escaped.

“Yes there was a jailbreak last night in Nsukka prison but I am not in a position to say how many prisoners escaped,” he said according to The Cable.

“We are expecting the Enugu state prisons controller, Mr Isaiah Amariri, in Nsukka prison so that we brief him on what happened last night. He will be the one to tell the public the number of inmates that escaped, the re-arrested ones and efforts put in place to arrest those still on the run,” he added.

ALSO READ: 5 inmates recaptured after escape from Koton Karfe prison

Officials of the Nigeria Prisons Service are said to currently be searching for the escapees with hopes of apprehending them as soon as possible.