Security forces consisting of soldiers and policemen are at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre in Lagos State to foil an attempted jailbreak.
According to an eyewitness, smokes could be seen billowing from parts of the centre while inmates are seen running.
It was learnt that the prison authorities had immediately notified the police and the military authorities for backup.
The eyewitness, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “I can see them from my balcony at the moment. Soldiers and policemen have arrived. I saw prisoners throwing stones and I saw fire.
“A lot of the prison officials have gathered at the entrance of the prison while some of the inmates have retreated.”
Our correspondent also heard gunshots emanating from the prisons.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, said the cause of the fire could not yet be ascertained but policemen had been deployed in the prisons.
“We don’t know the cause of the fire but we are there on the ground. We have mobilised to the place. We will give details later,” he said.
Some hoodlums had hijacked the #EndSARS protests against police brutality and extrajudicial killings earlier in the week causing pandemonium in several parts of the country especially in Lagos where several government buildings and private establishments have been burnt.
In Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki imposed a curfew on Monday after inmates from the Medium Security Correctional Centres on Sapele Road and at Oko, Airport Road, freed almost 2,000 inmates.
In Ondo State, a jailbreak was also reported on Thursday.
