Eight fleeing inmates arrested after bandits attacked Jos prison

Eight of the inmates who had earlier escaped during the attack on the Jos Correctional Centre by gunmen on Sunday had been rearrested.

Gunmen said to be bandits had on Sunday evening invaded the prison yard and some of the inmates escaped from the facility.

The bandits were said to have pretended to be on a visit before they opened fire on reaching the gate of the correctional facility.

But the Plateau State Police Command on Monday said it has arrested the eight fleeing inmates.

ASP Ubah Ogaba, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, said that of the eight fleeing inmates, seven were rearrested by the police while one voluntarily surrendered himself.

“On Sunday, at about 5:20p.m., the medium-security custodial centre in Jos came under attack by yet-to-be identified gunmen.

“Immediately we received the report, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Bartholomew Onyeka, who led reinforcement to the scene, directed that the entire centre be cordoned.

“The CP also ordered immediate stop and search and seven inmates who escaped were re-arrested by the Police and are in Custody.

“One of them voluntarily surrendered himself to the Police,” Ogaba said.

The PPRO said that Policemen and other security personnel are currently on the ground to effectively deprive the hoodlums of the space they desire to perpetrate their evil acts.

Ogaba promised to make details available as the search for the other escaped inmates continues.

The Jos Correctional Centre is located near the headquarters of the Plateau State Police Command as well as the Department of State Services (DSS).