By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

Inmates at Kaduna Correctional Facility, old Kaduna Prison, on Tuesday, attempted breaking free following rumoured presence of COVID-19 infected inmate.

The incident started following a female inmate who took ill and was coughing consistently until she was removed and conveyed to unknown facilities.

An insider (a correctional officer) said few hours after the inmate was removed, another female inmate in the same cell started coughing in the same manner.

This raised apprehension among other inmates who suspected it might be coronavirus and made attempts to break free.

As a result, the facility called for reinforcement following persistent gunshots by personnel on duty who tried to scare the inmates and make them stay in.

“There were presence of more Correctional staff, Police and soldiers mobilised to quell the prison break attempt,” a correctional officer who narrated the incident to our reporter said.

Speaking to journalists, Deputy Controller in charge of Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa and Kano, Muhammad Rabiu Babangida, said: “It was a minor incident and was professionally handled.

“What happened was not new and a common occurrence globally with Correctional facility inmates. He also debunked the rumour of coronavirus among any of the inmates in the facility.”

He advised Kaduna residence to go about their normal businesses as the situation is under control.