Gunmen stormed a prison in Kogi state in central Nigeria, killing one warden and freeing 119 prisoners, the prison authorities said on Thursday.

"The invaders came at about 7.15 pm Wednesday and we suspected they used explosives to bring down the gate of the prison and the roof of the gate and thereafter set free 119 inmates," said prison authorities spokesman Hadiza Aminu.

Reports are claiming that Boko Haram were behind the jail break, although no one has claimed responsibilty yet.

Islamist sect Boko Haram, which has killed hundreds in bomb and gun attacks this year, was behind a prison break in northern Bauchi state in 2010 when around 700 prisoners were freed.