Heavily armed gunmen believed to be terrorists on Tuesday night attacked the Kuje Medium Custodial Centre in Abuja, the nation’s capital with bombs in an attempt to gain access into the facility and free some of its members.
A bomb had first gone off at about 10:25pm followed by a second and third blasts as well as sporadic gunshots that sent residents into panic mode.
It was gathered that the Nigerian Correctional Service NCoS had earlier received intelligence reports that one of its facilities could come under attacks.
Most of the 700 inmates at the Kuje correctional facility have escaped.
Other inmates have been removed from the facility including the suspended deputy commissioner of police, Abba Kyari, who was remanded at the prison by a Federal High Court.
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.