Two Inmates Killed On A Failed Jail Break In Jalingo

At least two inmates were shot dead and several others injured Wednesday morning in an attempted jailbreak in

Jalingo Prison, Taraba State.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the unsuccessful prison break was prompted by the poor medical service in the prison.

Sources told PREMIUM TIMES that the prisoners attempted to forcefully open the prison gate while protesting the poor condition of the prison.

Security operatives were said to have opened fire, which led to the death of two prisoners and left several others injured.

Investigations revealed that the inmates decried the poor healthcare service in the prison, and that the poor service had led to the death some of the inmates.

Residents of the prison area said they heard sounds of gunshots and screaming in the prison during the protest.

“Early in the morning, around 7am, we started hearing gunshots and screaming of inmates in the prisons.

“We cannot ascertain the real cause of the riot,” said Muhammad Abubakar, whose house is close to the prison.

Witnesses said the victims were immediately rushed to the Federal Medical Center, Jalingo for treatment.

Confirming the death, the Deputy Head of Clinicals of the Federal Medical Center, Jalingo, Ahmed Jatau, said four victims were brought to the hospital’s emergency unit.

According to him, two of the victims died, while two others sustained “critical injuries”.

When contacted, the Taraba State controller of Prison Service, Ibrahim Bambur, declined to make any comment.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the state police commissioner, Shaaba Alkali, and state commandant the Civil Defence Corps, Kamilu Isa, had visited the prison to assess the situation Thursday.

Our reporter observed that security was beefed up around the prison.