Ecuado’s president Guillermo Lasso has declared a state of emergency in the prison system after deadly clashes among gang members in a coastal Prison kill at least 116 people and left 80 others injured.

Six of those killed at the litoral Prison, on the outskirts of the Port City of Guayaquil, were beheaded.

The violence at the litoral Penitentiary in the city of Guiyaquil erupted after a battle broke out on Tuesday night among gang members of international drug cartels trying to seize Control of the facility.

Announcing the state of emergency at the prison facility, president Guillermo Lasso handed over federal powers which includes deploying police and soldiers inside the prison.

According to reports, police officers has been sent to restore peace and order.

The president condemned the acts and described it as ” bad and sad” and he also added; it is regrettable that the prisons are being turned into territories for power tursles by criminal gangs.

I asked God to bless Ecuador and that we can avoid more loss of human life”.

The president said he will be acting with ” absolute firmness” to ensure swift capture of power back in the hands of officials.

He promised additional security forces and funds to avoid a repeat of such prison wars.

He also announced that the family members of inmates would get food and psychological support.

A programme worth $24 million focusing on infrastructure and technology in the litoral facility will be sped up.

Ecuador is no stranger to prison violence, this is the third prison fight resulting in mass deaths in the country this year.

At least 79 people died in February and more than 100 died in July in similar clashes.

By Sandra Priscilla

Nation Scoops Nigeria Editor