Convicted mass killer and death row inmate Mark Royden Durant aka Royden Williams and “Smallie” made a daring escape from the Mazaruni Prison this afternoon under the guard of a boat load of heavily armed gunmen, suspected to be members of a Venezuelan gang.

In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs said the inmate was being escorted back to his cell after a visit with someone when heavily armed gunmen attacked the prison facility, forcing prison guards to dash for cover while the inmate escaped in the company of the gunmen.

The Home Affairs Ministry said the gunmen were armed with AK-47 automatic rifles.

Prison guards returned fire, but were no match for the gang of gunmen.

The statement said the boat and its occupants proceeded upstream, past Itaballi landing, while Prison guards and Police in support undertook pursuit.

Members of the Joint Services have since been mobilized to effect the recapture of Williams and to capture and or arrest his accomplices.

A preliminary investigation is underway, and persons are being questioned in relation to this extremely serious incident.

Williams was convicted of murders stemming from the Bartica massacre in 2008, when along with other gunmen, he ambushed and killed twelve (12) persons, including three (3) policemen.

He was also convicted and sentenced to death over the killing of Guyana Defence Force member Corporal Ivor Williams.

He previously escaped from the Camp Street Prison on July 2017 but was recaptured in October of the same year.

The Joint Services and other Security personnel are on high alert, the Ministry said.

All citizens in the Mazaruni and surrounding areas are advised to take precautions and remain vigilant as the persons being sought are armed and extremely dangerous.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Opposition spokesperson on public security Geeta Chandan-Edmonds said given Guyana’s history, the escape is not a situation to be taken lightly.

She said many recall the incidents that followed the 2005 jailbreak.

According to the Opposition spokesperson, the Ministry of Home Affairs must explain how the incident occurred and provide the nation with regular updates.

She said no effort should be spared in ensuring that the escapee is recaptured forthwith.

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