Just In : Militants Attack Afokang Federal Prison in Calabar, Kill Guard
In a daring act of violence, militants stormed the Afokang Federal Prison in Cross River State, leaving a security guard dead, NEWS WEEK NIGERIA reports.
The attackers, believed to have emerged from the nearby Calabar creeks, launched their assault, resulting in the tragic death of a security guard who was stationed at the prison’s main gate. In the course of the attack, the assailants managed to seize the guard’s firearm, further escalating the severity of the incident.
Fortunately, the militants did not breach the prison’s security perimeter and were confined to operating at the main gate, thereby preventing an even more catastrophic event.
Sources close to the situation suggested that the attack might be linked to complaints regarding a reduction in food rations for inmates. It is said that there had been discontent among the prison population due to alleged reductions in their meals.
Responding to the crisis, the state comptroller called for an emergency meeting at the head office of the Correctional Centre, located opposite the Millennium Park in Calabar, to address the aftermath of the attack and the security measures to prevent future incidents.
Local residents, shaken by the late-night attack, reported hearing gunshots at approximately 9 pm. A sense of panic ensued as news of the assault spread throughout the area. It was only after the assailants had retreated that the full extent of the tragedy became apparent, with confirmation that an officer had lost his life.
DSC Effanga Etim, the Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, confirmed the distressing incident. Investigations are ongoing to determine the motives behind the attack and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
This attack on Afokang Federal Prison is a stark reminder of the security challenges facing prisons and correctional facilities in the region, emphasizing the need for enhanced security measures and better conditions for inmates to prevent future acts of violence.
