About 1,800 prisoners have escaped jail in Nigeria following attacks by gunmen.
The attack, according to multiple local media reports in Nigeria, occurred in the south-eastern town of Owerri.
“I can confirm that the Imo State command of the Nigerian Correctional Service was attacked by unknown gunmen in Owerri,” Imo state corrections service spokesman, James Madugba, is reported to have told the media.
He is quoted as saying “The situation is under control.”
Reports say the gunmen arrived in pickup trucks and buses before attacking the Owerri prison.
They accordingly engaged prison guards in a gun battle.
One police officer was shot and injured in the attack, reports say.
The Police have confirmed that the gunmen were from the Eastern Security Network – a military wing of the dominant pro-Biafra secessionist group in southeast Nigeria, the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob).
By Melvin Tarlue