According to authorities, more than 250 of 822 inmates escaped from a prison east of the Democratic Republic of Congo and were captured by security forces.
Thursday’s presentation by security officials included 166 of the inmates and 86 other fugitives. They were all believed to have been captured with the help the public.
The armed forces continue to search for any remaining inmates at Kakwangura central jail in Butembo that were detained before it was stormed.
Capt Anthony Mwalushayi (Army spokesperson) said that around 80 attackers fought off the 15 police officers at the prison at 02:30 on Wednesday.
The army accuses the ADF, an arm group linked to the Islamist State jihadist group, of carrying out the attack. The IS group has admitted to being behind the attack.
Two police officers were shot to death at the prison. Later, three ADF fighters were burned alive by locals.
The atmosphere is still tense over the many escapees still at large, though many residents have resumed their daily activities with shops opening.
This is not the first mass jailbreak in DR Congo.
More than 3,000 prisoners escaped Makala prison in Kinshasa’s capital in 2017
Prison structures are not modern and overcrowding in prisons is common throughout the country.
Source: rnewtimes
