The Comptroller General of Nigeria Prisons Services, Mr Zakari Ibrahim, said on Friday that 20 prisoners escaped from Sagamu prison on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the authorities of Ogun Prison Command had declined comments on the incident when the report filtered out.

But speaking with newsmen at Sagamu prison, Ibrahim described the incident as "unfortunate and embarrassing."

"I am here because of the issue of escape and I came personally to see what has happened and to ensure that things are done right.

"My visit is also to ensure that any staff found culpable face the full wrath of the law; we have set up a committee that will give us full report of what happened. What I can tell for now is that we have 20 inmates who had escaped and we have re-arrested four of them.

"I have addressed the staff and I have told them that their commitment must be full and total; those who want to embarrass us should just leave. If investigation into the matter reveals that the incident was as a result of negligence of some of our staff, they will be dismissed and punished accordingly.

"Some of them (staff) will also be prosecuted and may even change uniforms," he said.

NAN gathered that the fleeing inmates broke the prison's fence and injured some prison officials in the process of escaping. (NAN)