Gunmen attack Cross River prison, kill officer

A Correctional Service officer has been confirmed dead following an attack on the Afokang Correctional Centre in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

The spokesman of the Cross River State Command of the Correctional Service, Affanga Etim, made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen in Calabar on Thursday, October 19, 2023.

Etim disclosed that the incident occurred on Wednesday night.

He said the gunmen opened fire on the joint security team at the facility, adding that there was no damage to the facility.

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He said: “When they came, they opened fire on the security team who also responded in like manner and in the process, an Assistant Superintendent of Correction (ASC) was killed.

“No inmate escaped or was killed, the attackers didn’t get close to the main facility.

“As we speak, we have deployed more armed personnel to the facility and everything is under control.”

It was further gathered that a mother and her six-year-old daughter were hit by stray bullets during the attack.

The victims, who were rushed to the Naval Hospital in Calabar, were hit in the stomach and hand, respectively.

The Star