Bauchi — Members of the outlawed Boko Haram yesterday struck the Bauchi prison located adjacent to the emir's palace killing some armed forces personnel on patrol and one prison warder as at the time of compiling this report.

The attack was executed at about 6:40 pm when Muslims were breaking their fast.

The armed forces personnel killed were stationed in front of the state ministry of education when they were gunned down by AK 47 assault rifles. The sect members then proceeded and break open the gates of the prison after overpowering the prison warders setting free inmates most of whom were members of the sect held captive from last year's similar upheaval.

Casualties were seen carried into the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital in Toyota Hilux by mobile policemen around 8:20 pm

Eye witness account said the number of casualties was high but could not be determined as the sect members engaged in a shoot-out with the police.

The suspected members shot indiscriminately with stray bullets hitting innocent people as they were preparing for the breaking of the Moslem fast of the month of Ramadan.

Bauchi State police commissioner, Danlami Yar'adua confirmed the crisis in a telephone interview saying that, "yes, there was an attempt by some persons to break into the Bauchi prison and they were said to be armed, we have mobilised our armed anti-riot policemen to the prison to ensure that the situation did not get out of hand."

The police boss added that, "for now I cannot tell you whether there are casualties or not, but as soon as we have the details, you will be duly informed but let me assure you that the situation is under control as our men are battle ready to check the crisis."

As at the time of this report, residents of Bauchi have deserted the streets while armed security men have taken over the patrol of the town to ensure that the crisis did not spread to other parts of the town while the state government has asked people to remain calm as the situation is under control and will not be allowed to spread.