The Nigeria Correctional Service, Oyo State Command, said 837 awaiting trial inmates escaped from the Abolongo Correctional Centre in Oyo Town when suspected gunmen attacked the facility.

The Public Relations Officer, Olanrewaju Anjorin, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Ibadan.

Anjorin said all the 837 awaiting trial inmates were freed by the attackers but the cell housing the convicts and the inmates were not vandalised.

He said that a total of 262 escaped inmates had been recaptured, while 575 were still at large.

“The invaders arrived the centre heavily armed with sophisticated weapons and after a fierce encounter with the officers on guard, they gained entrance into the yard, using dynamite to blast the wall.

“All the awaiting trial detainees were forced out of custody, the cells housing the convicts and the female inmates were not vandalised.

“Meanwhile, a total of 262 of the escapees have been recaptured leaving 575 still at large.

“Following the directives of the Controller-General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa, the State Controller, Noel Ailewon, has commenced the process of search and recapture after visiting the scene of the incident,” Anjorin said.

He further said that the state controller had assured the public that no effort would be spared to recapture the fleeing inmates.