Eyewitnesses recounted how the terrorists successfully attacked the Kuje prison in Abuja.   Recall that the attack occurred on Tuesday and resulted in the release of 64 members of Boko Haram.

The Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) has since claimed responsibility for the attack.

Aresident identified as Chukwuemeka Michael in conversation with the Premium Times said the  Kuje prison attack was one of his scariest moments as an adult.

Michael said he and his friend noticed the unusual presence of a group of men on the streets of the prison on Tuesday night. 

“It happened in this area here because we were  waiting for bikes outside to take us out because my house is behind the prison here,” he said.

 “Some guys were there smoking around the prison area. They were there smoking and having fun. Then my friend told me  we should start dating because he didn't understand what was going on there. I said "no, let's wait for the bike".

Just minutes after he told me we started hearing gunfire and so we ran.  “I slept under the bed and the soldier on the street entered my house. He took off his uniform and hid his weapon.

They (weapons used by attackers) are like machines, they are much faster than what Nigerians are used to.

 “He was walking right into the block even our streets were filled with bullets and gunfire and all that. It was so horrible we couldn't believe it. We think a situation like this will end quickly! They start at nine o'clock until about midnight. It's really serious. The soldiers couldn't even do anything, they were running.
 
 Another resident, who did not want to be named, also said the prison street was filled with strange faces on Tuesday night.
 "Around the prison's borders, some officers suspect shady activity," he said. So they called someone to question him. I don't know if he was questioned or not. So I think in the end the person we saw the person coming was a spy for them.
 
 One resident said: “They gave  each prisoner 2,000 naira and one of the prisoners kept shouting Allahu Akbar.
 
 "There was a man they saved who couldn't escape and wanted  the money back. He was the one who told people the money they gave them.