The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has said that a total of 879 inmates escaped from the attacked Kuje Medium Custodial Centre by bandits on Tuesday night.
It was also reported that about 4 of the inmates were killed while 16 others sustained various degrees of injuries.
The Authorities of NCoS further disclosed that 443 escapee inmates have been recaptured, 551 inmates are currently in custody, while 443 inmates are still at large.
Umar Abubakar, Public Relations Officer of the center while providing update to the incident in a statement said efforts are ongoing to recapture the fleeing inmates.
He added that the attackers broke into the medium security custodial center using explosive devices through the main entrance and the fence of the facility killing a personnel of NSCDC attached to the center.
“A total of 879 inmates escaped from the facility during the unfortunate attack. As at the time of this report, 443 have been recaptured, 551 inmates are currently in custody, 443 inmates are still at large, 4 inmates dead and 16 inmates sustained various degree of injuries and are being treated at the moment. However, efforts are ongoing to recapture all fleeing inmates,” he added.
“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.
“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 Joint SecurityTaskforce comprising the Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigerian Immigration Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps was formed to forstall further breaches on custodial facilities.
“As at the time of the attack on the Kuje facility, we have 38 military personnels 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.
Written by Adekunle Biodun