Hargeysa, Somaliland, April 1, 2006 – Five prisoners convicted for terrorism and one terrorist suspect who escaped from Hargeysa central prison on Sunday evening, were all recaptured in less than one hour following their jail break.

The prisoners belonged to a terrorist group that was responsible for the killing of 4 aid workers in Somaliland on 2003-2004.

15 members of the group went on trial last year before Hargeysa regional court. 8 of the suspects were sentenced to death while 7 were given life imprisonment.

Five of the convicted were among those who tried to escape on Sunday.

The Jail break happened at 6pm. The six prisoners were reported to have jumped over the prison fence wall.

A quick man hunt staged by the police however nettled all the six escapees who included Abdirahman Indho-Adde, one of the most dangerous terrorists in the region. Some of the prisoners were found armed with pistols.

The incident had embarrassed president Rayale’s government which was recently hit by a series of security scandals.

According to investigators, there was a lot of money and planning involved in the jail break operation. The smuggling of pistols into the jail was al so indication that the prisoners had collaborators inside the prison and outside.

The government is still investigating.