Suspected members of an Islamist sect have raided a prison in northern Nigeria, freeing 732 inmates, including members of the extremist group.
The majority of the facility's 762 prisoners escaped, with 31 later re-arrested.
Four people were reportedly killed in Tuesday's attack on Bauchi state prison, including a soldier, a police officer and two residents.
Prison guard Salisu Mohammed said large numbers of heavily armed Boko Haram sect members raided the facility, in which all 150 sect inmates were freed.
But Police Commissioner Danlami Yar'Adua said authorities re-arrested 20 inmates as well as 11 suspected Boko Haram members, leaving 701 inmates still at large.
Calm returned to the area after an hour of heavy fighting, with police and the military saying they have since locked down the area.
Residents said they were terrified during the attack, and feared security forces would mistake them for members of Boko Haram, also known as the Nigerian Taliban.
The attack came during the last days of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, and ahead of January's presidential elections.
Boko Haram, which means "Western education is sin" in local Hausa dialect, had fought for the creation of an Islamic state in Nigeria, which is roughly divided in half between Muslims and Christians.
The vast majority of Muslims in the country reject the sect's hardline ideology, and many observers say the group grew out of frustration with Nigeria's widespread corruption, poverty and lack of opportunities for youth.
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The phrase locked-down' from the Bauchi State police boss is not only silly but pitiful and wretched. I cannot understand how such a high target facility was never properly accorded the full and proper security procedures especially with the circumstances of the state's recent past and challenges. Without a shred of doubt, the commissioner and others must not only be shown the exit doors but preferred with a neglect of national security duty charge.
Under Badamasi that will never happen in any region of Nigeria, but the buffoon Jonathan cannot even fathom the magnitude of the situation least he consider it a national security breach.
The Boka Haram boys must be shot on sight and not only banned but criminalize their activity.
I agree with you on the lock down phrase? What exactly did they lock down??? This is shameful for a group of criminals to boldly make their way into a prison and free everybody??? what kind of nonsense is this, and how can this group be able to arm themselves without the Govt knowing about it. This is very scary, and should be a wake up call to Nigeria security that these militants are not playing and must be brought to their knees!!! I am a muslim and do not care about these militants who do not represent real muslims. They must be chased out of the country, and declared public ememy number one!!!! These group can go to hell and erect their own city and burn to ashes. NONSENSE...I am really angry that innocent security people have to die for no reason. The Govt. better secure the rest of the prison in the country and be better prepared in case there is another incident.
@gboyama "Under Badamasi that will never happen in any region of Nigeria, but the buffoon Jonathan cannot even fathom the magnitude of the situation least he consider it a national security breach." Nice try... THE ANSWER STILL REMAINS F**K NO! Badamasi will not be the next president of nigeria! Cool breeze Goodluck
dont call your president a buffon.