Gunmen Storm Nigerian Prison, 12 Escape

Gunmen have stormed the Oko Minimum Prison on the outskirts of Benin City, west of Nigeria.
They attacked the prison gate with explosives, believed to be improvised bombs and freed no fewer than 12 inmates.
Although prison wardens and policemen were said to have responded by firing at the attackers, they were over-powered by the attackers.
The gunmen were said to have arrived in a Toyota Coaster.
A residence of Oko community who identified himself simply as Edokpayi, told Greenwich news that the suddenness of the attack and the noise of the explosion caused pandemonium among the people living in and around the prison.
“The entire neighbourhood of the prison was woken up by heavy shootings and explosions which occurred at the early hours of today forcing many families to abandon their homes,” Edokpayi said.
Relatives and family members of inmates besieged the prison when the news spread around the State capital.
When Greenwich news  visited the prison today, armed security men turned away visitors and journalists.
When contacted on phone, Edo State Controller of Prisons, Mr. Ewulo F. O. confirmed the incident added that the incident was being investigated.
Edo State Police spokesperson, Anthony Airhuoyo, said the State Command is yet to be briefed by the Divisional Police Officer, (DPO) in charge of the area.