The detainees, mainly suspected Al-Shabaab militants, have reportedly broke the door to their jail and escaped. Some of the suspects have been serving long jail terms ranging from seven to twelve years.

Officials from the prison department in Baidoa told Bar-kulan that seven of the escapees were later recaptured through the help of the local population, adding that they are now hunting for the rest of the escapees.

It is the first time for prisoners to escape Baidoa’s Central Prison since allied forces took control of the city earlier this year.