Prison warders, civilians shot dead
Panic grip residents
Fresh facts have emerged over today's early morning gun fire that led to the death of no fewer than five persons, including three official of the Warri Federal Prison in Warri, Delta State.
Eyewitnesses say they were shot by a gang of gunmen who attacked a vehicle conveying criminal suspects to court for trial. The gunmen reportedly launched the attack with a Toyota Camry and Lexus Rx 300 SUV.
It was gathered that a top kidnap kingpin was among four suspect freed by the gunmen.
Reports indicated that at least four prison official reportedly died at the scene.
Security source said an inmate was also killed during the exchange of gunfire between the gunmen and the prison guards.
Three other prison officials were lying critically injured in an undisclosed hospital in the city following gunshot wounds they sustained during the ensuing gun battle.
The Warri Area Commander of the Nigerian Police, Mr. Hussaini Rabiu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said initial reports indicated that two warden and an inmate where killed.
He said, "three of the prison inmates, who fled with the attackers after the encounter, have been re-arrested by the police and handed over to the Prisons Department in Warri.
ACP Rabiu said that the police and other security operatives had attempted to plug every possible escape route for the gunmen in Warri and adjoining Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area but they beat the security network set to snare them.
Meanwhile, the gunfire caused panic in the city, especially within the expatriate communities, where foreigners quickly went into hiding.
German firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Limited, sent its workers home when sporadic gunshots died down, while activities at oil multinational Chevron and Shell were also paralyzed.
Some morning worshippers in the premises of Sacred Heart Catholic Cathedral also ran for cover as did dozens of early shoppers at the Warri Main Market.
