Hundreds of inmates flee Haiti prison after armed gangs invasion
A Saturday night prison invasion in Haiti by armed gangs has led to the escape of hundreds of inmates and the killing of three people, VOA has reported.
Three bodies with gunshot wounds were found Sunday morning at the now widely open entrance of the prison, which had no security guards around.
A human rights attorney, Arnel Remy, who is also the head of a non-profit that works inside the prisons, on his X handle, revealed that less than 100 of the 4,000 inmates still remained behind bars after the attack.
Among those who refused to escape are 18 former Colombian soldiers who were accused of working as mercenaries to assassinate then President, Jovenel Moïse, in July 2021.
Colombians who shared the videos on Saturday night during the chaos could be seen urgently pleading for their lives.
One of the men, Francisco Uribe, in a 30-seconds video, could be seen saying, “Please, please help us,” adding that, “They are massacring people indiscriminately inside the cells.”
Also, a union representing the police, pleaded for help on social media saying, “Let’s mobilise the army and the police to prevent the bandits from breaking into the prison.”
The incident happened as Prime Minister Ariel Henry travelled abroad to solicit support for a United Nations-backed security force to stabilise the country.
On Thursday, four police officers were killed in the country’s capital after gunmen opened fire on targets including Haiti’s international airport.
The criminals also reportedly attacked two police stations as civilians scampered for safety while businesses and schools were closed down in fear.
A former police officer in the country, Jimmy Chérizier, who now runs a gang federation, has claimed responsibility for the attacks. He revealed that the intention is to capture the country’s police chief and government ministers as well as prevent the president’s return.
However, in a bid to curtail the attacks, the President on Friday, signed reciprocal agreements with Kenyan President William Ruto, to deploy Kenyan police to Haiti.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
World
U.S. child sex offender Anthony Paul Smith dies of lung cancer two years into 35-year jail term
Mr Smith eventually pleaded guilty to the lower charge and was sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment in December 2023.
Africa
Three suspects arrested over murder of nine women in South Africa
Mr Cachalia noted that eight of the victims had been positively identified.
World
British PM, cabinet members behaving like ostriches, ignoring looming energy crisis, says Kemi Badenoch
The UK Conservative Party leader said the solution for UK “is simple: Drill our own oil and gas in the North Sea.”
States
Residents beg FG to fix collapsed Iseyin-Abeokuta road
Mr Alaba said that the road had shown signs of failure about six years ago before it finally collapsed.
Politics
2027: North-Central youths back Tinubu’s re-election bid
The North-Central Renewed Hope Youth Vanguard endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term.
Heading 2
Tinubu applauds INEC on by-elections in four states, congratulates winners
Mr Tinubu also commended voters and security agencies for maintaining peace and order during the elections.
