Justice minister says former Guinea dictator, 2 others escape prison after gunmen storm capital

Gunmen stormed Guinea's main prison early Saturday and freed former dictator Moussa "Dadis" Camara, according to the country's justice minister, who also announced the closure of the West African country's borders.

The announcement by Justice Minister Charles Alphonse Wright came several hours after heavy gunfire erupted in Conakry's Kaloum district.

Claude Pivi and Blaise Goumou were among those who escaped, according to Wright.

"We will find them. And those responsible will be held accountable," Wright told local Radio Fim FM.

Camara, who took power in a coup in 2008, had been detained in connection with a stadium massacre during his brief reign. He had been living in exile for years after surviving an assassination attempt before returning home in late 2021.