Over 800 Inmates Flee from Kuje Prison Attack, Four Killed – NCoS
Following an attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Tuesday night, approximately 800 prisoners are said to have fled the Kuje Prison, according to Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) authorities.
Umar Abubakar, the chief superintendent of corrections, said in a statement on Wednesday that a total of 879 prisoners broke out of the prison.
In addition, Mr. Abubakar claimed that “443 of the escapees have been recaptured while 551 inmates are currently in custody, and 443 inmates are still at large.” However, these numbers don’t seem to add up, especially considering that the facility was reportedly only housing 994 inmates before the attack.
The Corrections Officer revealed more details about the incident, revealing that 16 other detainees had varying degrees of injury and are still being treated while four prisoners perished in the commotion.
However, he highlighted that attempts are still being made to find all evading prisoners.
While stating that the attackers entered the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje using explosive devices through the facility’s main entrance and fence, respectively, the Chief Superintendent of Corrections stated that the gunmen killed a member of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the Custodial Centre and seriously injured three (3) other members of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
DCP Abba Kyari, the controversial police officer, and other VIPs detained in the prison did not flee during Tuesday’s attack, according to Mr. Abubakar, who also expressed concern for their welfare.
“This is also to reassure the people that DCP Abba Kyari and other VIPs detained in the prison did not flee,” the statement continued. They are healthy and in custody right now, he added.
Assurance was given to Nigerians by Abubakar, who spoke on behalf of the Controller General of Corrections, that the Service will use the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and its Corrections Information Management System (CIMS) to hunt down and apprehend any escaping prisoners.
He stated that there were 38 military soldiers on the scene at the time of the attack on the Kuje site in addition to the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force, Civil Defense, DSS, and the NCoS’ Armed Squad.
This, according to Abubakar, is a part of the Interior Minister Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s efforts to change the security architecture of the country’s correctional facilities.
The NCoS spokesperson requested hospitals and other medical institutions and practitioners to report anyone who comes to them for treatment of gunshot injuries while informing the public that some of the assailants were killed and some managed to flee with gunshot wounds.
The NCoS authorities asked the public to provide beneficial information that might help catch the evading inmates while also praising the work of other security agencies for saving the Service in a timely way.
The public was reassured by the Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa, that every effort is being made to tackle the regrettable occurrence with professionalism and dedication.
Nababa also sent his condolences and best wishes to the families of those who perished in the attack and wish the injured ones quick recovery.
