- How 879 Kuje Prison inmates Escaped, 443 Recaptured
Official of Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has gave an insight to how attackers suspected to be terrorists broke into the prison.
Giving a graphics details of the unfortunate attack by gunmen suspected to be terrorists, Umar Abubakar, Chief Superintendent of Corrections, Public Relations officer, said that the attackers broke into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje using explosive devices.
The invaders reportedly bombed facility through the main entrance and the fence respectively.
In an ensuing gun battle, they killed one personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the Custodial Centre.
Three personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service seriously injured, according to officials.
A total of 879 inmates escaped from the facility during the unfortunate attack.
www.bigpenngr.com understands that as at the time of this report, 443 inmates have been recaptured, 551 inmates are currently in custody.
The official said that 443 inmates are still at large but 4 inmates are confirmed dead while 16 sustained various degree of injuries and are being treated at the moment.
However, efforts are ongoing to recapture all fleeing inmates, Abubakar added.
On the fleecing inmates, 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.
Abubakar, however debunked claims that detained ‘super cop’ Abba Kyari’s whereabout was unknown as reported by a section of the media, saying ‘this is also to confirm to the general public that DCP Abba Kyari and other VIPs held in the facility did not escape’.
He said that they are presently in custody, hale and hearty.
Abubakar, in the statement recalled 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 Joint SecurityTaskforce comprising the Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigerian Immigration Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps was formed to forestall further breaches on custodial facilities.
According to him; ‘As at the time of the attack on the Kuje facility, we have military personnel on ground in addition to personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Civil Defence, DSS and our Armed Squad. This is the Minister’s efforts to rejig the security architecture of our facilities.
The public is also informed that some of the attackers were killed while some escaped with gunshot wounds.
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.
The Controller General of Corrections Haliru Nababa FICMC, mni appreciates the efforts of other security agencies for coming to the rescue of the Service in a timely manner.
He calls on the public to volunteer useful information that may 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”.
