The Nigerian Prisons Service said 36 inmates have escaped from the Ikot Ekpene Prison in Akwa-Ibom State.

In a statement on Wednesday, Prisons Command Public Relations Officer Ogbajie Ogbajie said the prisoners attached kitchen staff who were on duty.

He said they seized an axe and attempted to escape.

According to the statement, 4 died after sustaining gunshot injuries while 7 were recaptured.

The statement read, “At about 1147hrs on Wednesday, 27 December 2017, there was an attack on kitchen staff that were on duty at Ikot Ekpene Prison in Akwa-Ibom State by some prisoners.

“They seized an axe from fellow inmate attached to the kitchen, inflicting a deep cut to inmates’ head in the process and immediately made for the rear entrance to the prison. They broke the door with the axe and engaged the staff that chased after them in battle.

“At the end of the scuffle, 4 of them that sustained gun shots lost their lives while 7 were recaptured. 36 are still at large and search parties have been activated to effect their recapture.

“Meanwhile, the Controller of Prisons Akwa Ibom State Command, Alex Oditah has ordered an investigation into the circumstance surrounding the unfortunate incident.

“The CP wishes to appeal to members of the public to assist the authority with useful intelligence that will aid arrest of feeling prisoners assuring that security has been strengthen in all prison formations in the State to forestall breach of security.”

Azeez