Security agents, on Thursday evening, prevented a jailbreak by inmates of Kurmawa prison, located around the emir’s palace in Kano state.
Sporadic gunshots were heard within the area where the prison is located, as residents prepared to break their Ramadan fast on Thursday evening.
It was gathered that the incident occurred when the inmates “condemned inmates” numbering about 150 staged a protest that officials should allow them to consume illicit drugs (wee-wee) and use other item such as handset smuggled into the facility by yet to be identified persons.
Other sources told newsmen that the inmates were protesting the poor quality of food they were served for iftar (Muslim breaking of fast), despite a befitting arrangement put in place by a popular philantropist.
Musbahu Nasarawa, spokesman of the Nigerian correctional service in Kano, confirmed the incident, adding that the inmates attempted to cause pandemonium but were resisted.
“We have put down the rebellion through the concerted efforts of the prison officials,” the spokesman said.
He further noted that the dispute was triggered by attempt by the prison officials to retrieved illicit items found with the prisoners.
According to him, the crisis has no link with either lack of food supply or poor quality of the food.
