Enugu Prison: Jail Break Averted As Inmates Stage Protest, Several Wounded

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Saturday, July 2nd, 2016

By IGNATIUS OKPARA

ENUGU, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – A Jail break was on friday night averted at the Enugu prison, following a protest staged by the inmates over alleged maltreatment by the authorities, just as security have been beefed up within the area.

Meanwhile, the development has heightened tension in Enugu metropolis, as residents were afraid that if not properly handled, it may degenerate into a jail break.

African Examiner learnt from a source close to the prison that “but for quick intervention of security operatives who acted swiftly, the unrest would have escalated.

Our Correspondent also gathered that the inmates embarked on the protest as a way of expressing their displeasure over the manner they were being badly treated by the management.

Although details of the unrest were still sketchy as at the time of filling this report, it was gathered that so many inmates were wounded during the exercise.

A staff of the establishment, who do not want to be quoted confirmed the unrest,saying “yes, it is true that the inmates staged a protest last night.

“The ring leaders of the protest are complaining that there is a lot of partiality in the prison.”

” They believe some inmates are getting better treatment than them, so, ‎they lured other inmates into staging the protest.

“However, it has been brought under control; none of them escaped”.

‎It was further gathered that some of those injured were now receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital in Enugu.

As at Saturday morning, there was still heavy presence of combined team of security operatives around the prison.