The NCoS Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Mr Abubakar Umar, confirmed the attack, adding that the security operatives were trying to salvage the situation.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) on Wednesday confirmed that gunmen attacked the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abuja with explosives on Tuesday night.
The NCoS Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Mr Abubakar Umar, confirmed the attack, adding that the security operatives were trying to salvage the situation.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the gunmen suspected to be terrorists carried out an attack on Kuje correctional facility around 10pm during which hundreds of inmates escaped.
“Can you hear the gunshot, we are under serious attack,” one of the sources said.
Meanwhile, the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Umar, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said, “I wish to confirm that at about 2200hrs, some yet-to-be-identified gunmen attacked the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, in the Federal Capital Territory.
“However, men of the Armed Squad of the Nigerian Correctional Service and other security agencies attached to the Custodial Centre have responded and calm has been restored to the facility and the situation is under control.
“Other details will be made available soon.”
Most of the 700 inmates at the Kuje correctional facility in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory escaped, SaharaReporters had learnt.
"Most of the inmates have escaped from the facility; it is sad. It houses over 700 inmates," a source said.
Kuje prison was established in 1989, it has minimum and maximum holding cells where inmates are incarcerated.
It is famous for holding high-profile offenders, including former governors and ministers.