Calabar Prison Attack

The Calabar prisons located in Afokang in the southern part of the city was the scene of sporadic gun fire today Friday morning as yet to be identified gun men broke into the prison ostensibly to set free some inmates.

A resident of the area said that the gun fire started at about 11am in the morning and lasted for about thirty minutes before soldiers from the Amphibious Batallion Calabar were brought in to assist the prison wardens who were battling the gun men.

“The gun shots started at about 11am and went on for about thirty minutes before soldiers came and surrounded the prison and we hear some prison wardens died in the exchange of gun fire with the intruders” he said

A soldiers dressed in camouflage turned away reporters two streets away from the prison saying that he has been told not to allow anyone near the prison . “We are under orders not to allow anybody into the prison and all those living around the area have to stay indoors”

Mr Hogan Bassey, the Cross River State; police Command spokesman said there was an attempt “by some gun men this morning to break into the prison but were repelled and we are investigating to ascertain who they are and the reason for their action”.