An unconfirmed number of inmates are said to have escaped from the correctional facility during the attack which occurred at about 10pm on Friday in Oyo town.

The spokesperson for the Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Olanrewaju Anjorin, confirmed the attack to Channels Television.

He explained that the gunmen arrived in Abolongo in large numbers and used explosives to gain access into the prison.

Anjorin also confirmed that several suspected criminals awaiting trial were freed by the gunmen during the attack.

According to him, NCoS authorities in the state swiftly mobilised support from other security agencies to trail the attackers and inmates, who are currently on the run.

Although the command spokesman could not ascertain if there was any casualty in the attack, he stated that investigations were ongoing.