Juliana Francis
The Nigerian Correctional Service has given a blow-by-blow account of how suspected terrorists breached the security of Kuje Prison on Wednesday, using explosives.
According to the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Mr Abubakar Umar, the terrorists broke into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje using explosive devices through the main entrance and the fence of the facility respectively, killing personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the Custodial Centre and left three personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service seriously injured.
He further explained: “A total of 879 inmates escaped from the facility during the unfortunate attack. As of the time of this report, 443 have been recaptured, 551 inmates are currently in custody, 443 inmates are still at large, 4 inmates are dead, and 16 inmates sustained various degrees of injuries and are being treated now. However, efforts are ongoing to recapture all fleeing inmates.”
He reiterated that the Service would deploy its Corrections Information Management System (CIMS) in synergy with National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to track all fleeing inmates and return them to custody.
He added: “This is also to confirm to the public that DCP Abba Kyari and other VIPs held in the facility did not escape. They are presently in custody, hale and hearty. Recall that after the attack at the Medium Custodial Centre in Agbolongo, Oyo State, the Honourable Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, met with the heads of the security agencies under his supervision where the idea of a Joint Security Taskforce comprising the Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigerian Immigration Service, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps was formed to forestall further breaches on custodial facilities. At the time of the attack on the Kuje facility, we have 38 military personnel on the ground in addition to the personnel of the Nigerian Police, Civil Defence, DSS, NSCDC and our armed squad. This was the Minister’s efforts to rejig the security architecture of our facilities.”
Umar also told Nigerians that some of the attackers were killed while some escaped with gunshot wounds, adding: “We, therefore, appeal to hospitals and other medical institutions and practitioners to report anyone that comes to them for treatment for gunshot injuries to the nearest law enforcement agency.”
He stated that the Controller General of Corrections Haliru Nababa appreciated the efforts of other security agencies for coming to the rescue of the Service in a timely manner, adding that Nababa had further called on the public to volunteer useful information that might lead to the arrest of the fleeing inmates.
“The CG has reassured the public that the unfortunate incident is been handled with every sense of dedication and professionalism. He further extends his condolence to the families of those who lost their lives during the attack and wishes the injured ones a quick recovery,” said Umar.
