The Nigerian Correctional Service on Sunday said the medium security custodial centre in Jos came under attack but the attackers were trapped within the facility after a gun duel.
The spokesman of the service, Francis Enobore, said in a statement that the attackers stormed the facility “in large numbers with sophisticated weapons” at about 17:20 hrs, engaging security operatives in a gun duel.
“Although they gained entrance to the yard, they are however trapped within as men from sister security services were immediately mobilised to assist the armed guards to cordon the perimeter wall and the entire area,” the statement read.
“Reinforcement from the response squad of the Service has also been mobilised to the center.
“The situation is presently under control as the attackers firing power is being subdued by superior fire from a combined team of security agencies. Update will be made available as event unfolds,” Mr Enobore noted.
Enobore added that further details about the jailbreak were still emerging.
Four inmates had broken out of Jos custodial centre in July.
Some communities in the North Central state have also experienced a spate of attacks as security operatives battle to bring peace.
Some gunmen had on Monday, October 18 attacked the Oko Medium Security Centre in Edo State and freed the inmates.
The gunmen overpowered the armed guards at the facility and looted shops along the road to the facility,
Also in October, gunmen attacked one of the facilities of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), in Oyo State.
The facility christened Abolongo correctional facility, was attacked by the gunmen on the evening of Friday, October 22.
It was gathered that the gunmen set all the prisoners at the facility free during the attack.
It was gathered that the attackers used grenades to gain access and set prisoners free.