The inhabitants of Amawbia in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State were yesterday gripped with fear as the news of a plot by yet-to-be-identified people to cause a jail break in Awka Prison to facilitate the escape of some influential inmates filtered into town.

Information has it that the jail break plot was not unconnected with presence of some influential persons like Chief Emmanuel Nwude, and some of his kinsmen from Abagana presently under prosecution in court and detained in the said prison for alleged murder charge following the recent brawl between Abagana and Ukpo community.

Awka Prison, which has a capacity for about 300 inmates, is said to be presently housing over 1,000 inmates.

Confirming the news of the jail break plot, the Comptroller of Prisons, Anambra State, Mr. Ubaike Anthony, said the prison in Awka has been having restiveness for the past two weeks.

In his words, “Yes, I have heard that and we have been having restiveness in Awka prison for two weeks now, but we have been countering it.

“We have been on alert, we are countering the restiveness and we are on top of the matter.”

A source who pleaded anonymity said the information has been transmitted to Abuja for “we heard the plan to cause jail break is to get some big men in the prison currently under prosecution for murder, escape judgment.”

However, with the news already spreading like wild fire late in the afternoon yesterday, many of the inhabitants of the prison which is located in Amawbia are already making secret arrangements to move their family members out of harm zone before they are caught unawares.

•Photo shows scene of a jail break.

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