Police in Ebonyi State on Thursday morning foiled a jailbreak attempt at the Abakiliki Prisons, where inmates rioted for hours.
Security sources said that at least two people died in the fracas. Source said two prison officials were killed by the inmates.
Police have cordoned off all roads leading to the facility.
Gunshots could be heard intermittently as police battle to recover a firearm allegedly seized from one of the prison officials, a witness said.
It was not immediately clear why the inmates revolted.
A security source said inmates made attempts at escaping after the riot started, and had already broken through a wall when anti-riot policemen arrived and tear gassed them into submission.
The prison is located beside the police headquarters, a proximity that enabled a rapid police response.
The military commander in the area, and state police commissioner have visited the area and were working to restore normalcy.
Police spokesperson, George Okafor, said the command was working hard to resolve the crisis.
He did not confirm if there were casualties.
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