• Says Abba Kyari, other VIPs safe in custody
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has disclosed that 879 inmates escaped during the terrorists attack on Kuje Prison, saying that 443 inmates have been recaptured.
The NCoS also stated that suspended Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Abba Kyari, who is being tried by the NDLEA and other important inmates are safe in custody.
The Chief Superintendent of Corrections and Public Relations Officer, NCoS, Mr Umar Abubakar, stated this in a statement made available on Wednesday.
Abubakar had earlier in a statement, confirmed that the unfortunate attack was carried out by gunmen suspected to be terrorists.
In the latest statement, Abubakar said that the attackers broke into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, using explosive devices through the main entrance and the fence of the facility respectively.
He added that the terrorists killed a 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.
According to Abubakar, a total of 879 inmates escaped from the facility during the unfortunate attack, saying that 443 inmates have been recaptured while 551 inmates are currently in custody.
He also disclosed that 443 inmates are still at large, adding that four inmates were shot dead while 16 inmates sustained various degree of injuries and are being treated at the moment. He also said that efforts are ongoing to recapture all fleeing inmates.
He said, “The Service will 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.
“This is also to confirms to the general public that DCP Abba Kyari and other VIPs held in the facility did not escape. They are presently in custody, hale and hearty.”
Theideal recalls that after the attack at the Medium Custodial Centre in Agbolongo, Oyo state, the 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.
As at the time of the attack on the Kuje facility, 38 military personnels were on ground in addition to personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Civil Defence, DSS and our Armed Squad.
Abubakar then said, “This is the Minister of Interior’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.”
In his own comment, the Controller General of Corrections, NCoS, Haliru Nababa, commended the efforts of other security agencies for coming to the rescue of the Service in a timely manner.
He also called on the general public to volunteer useful information that may lead to the arrest of the fleeing inmates.The CG further reassured the general public that the unfortunate incident is being 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.
