Gunmen believed to be militants launched a daring attack on Afokang Federal Prison in Cross River State, resulting in the tragic death of a security guard.Â
These assailants, thought to have emerged from the nearby Calabar creeks, fatally shot the guard and seized his firearm.
Fortunately, the militants were unable to breach the prison’s inner confines and focused their operation solely on the main gate.
Sources suggest that the motive behind this attack may be linked to concerns about prison rationing, as there have been reports of discontent among inmates due to reduced food supplies.
In response to this grave security breach, the new state comptroller hastily convened an emergency meeting at the head office of the Correctional Centre opposite the Millennium Park in Calabar.
The aim of this meeting was to address the implications of the prison assault and to devise strategies to prevent such incidents in the future.
Local resident Godwin Esu recounted the distressing events, stating, “The incident happened around 9 p.m. We heard gunshots. We knew it came from the prison. Then there was a stampede. It was after those who shot had gone that we were told that an officer was killed.”
The Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, DSC Effanga Etim, has officially confirmed the occurrence of this tragic incident.
