Nigeria, Dec. 3 -- At least five prisoners died of electrocution at the Ikoyi prison in Lagos on Monday.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the electrocution from which other prisoners also sustained injuries.

Although the exact cause of the electrocution has not been determined, an official has provided information on the level of overcrowding in the prison.

The Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Jaafaru Ahmed, said as at the time of the incident, the Ikoyi Medium Security Custodial Centre built in 1955 for 800 inmates, had a population of 3,113 with 2,680 of them awaiting trial.

The NCoS on Monday ordered an immediate investigation into the deaths at the prison.

Mr Ahmed gave the directive in a statement signed and...