There was heavy shootout at the Warri Correctional Centre also known as Okere Prison in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday.
The shooting followed attempts by some hoodlums who reportedly hijacked the #EndSARS protest to break into the premises of the prison.
It was gathered that security operatives including soldiers were said to have repelled the hoodlums.
However, the prison premises was said to have been thrown into chaos when some of the inmates reportedly set a session of the prison on fire.
Sources claimed some of the inmates reportedly escaped during the incident, a claim, an official of the correction centre denied.
The official, who declined to be quoted since he was not authorised to speak with press, said although the hoodlums attempted to break in but were repelled by operatives stationed at the prison.
The official further added that no inmate escaped during the incident.
Findings reveal that the session that was reportedly set on fire is where inmate files and documents are kept.
It was gathered that some of the inmates were said to have reportedly set fire on the session of the prison where their documents were kept.
It was learnt that the hoodlums, who were reportedly armed with sticks, cutlasses and other objects, aimed to free some inmates at the Correctional Centre.
But eyewitnesses insisted that some of the inmates escaped during the melee.
The incident led to chaos along the popular Okere Road in Warri where the prison is located as business owners and commuters fled for safety.
Residents of the area told NIGER DELTA TODAY (NDT) Online that the armed security operatives fired into the air to prevent the hoodlums from gaining access.
It is not clear if any casualty was recorded.
When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, said “They (hoodlums) attempted but they didn’t succeed. The prisoners set fire inside the prison but the outside is relatively calm. We are not sure if any prisoner escaped. I will update you later.”
