Nigerian officials said Wednesday at least 732 inmates - including members of a suspected radical Islamic sect - escaped a northern prison during an attack by gunmen.
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The state police commissioner says four people were killed when gunmen opened fire on the Bauchi prison Tuesday evening, engaging police in a long firefight. Officials say they later brought the situation under control.

Authorities say they believe the gunmen were members of the Boko Haram sect and had attacked the prison in in order to free sect members awaiting trial.

In July of last year Boko Haram members attacked police stations, churches, and government buildings in northern Nigeria.

The rampage sparked a violent military and police crackdown. More than 700 people were killed.

Many of the sect members arrested at that time are being held in the Bauchi prison.

The Boko Haram sect has been fighting for the creation of an Islamic state in northern Nigeria. The group's name means "Western education is sacrilege" in the local Hausa dialect.

Source:VOA News