Following bandits’ attack on Kuje Correctional Centre Tuesday night, residents of the Kuje Area Council have narrated shocking tales relating to the invasion.
Speaking about the unfortunate incident, a resident whose house is close to the correctional facility, Mr Michael, said he and a friend were outside waiting for a bike when they noticed some unusual activities going on and some strange people smoking.
He said his friend instantly advised him that they should walk faster, it was not up to a minute they started hearing gunshots, and they both ran back home and hid under the bed.
READ ALSO: Gunmen attack Kuje Prison as residents scamper for safety
Micheal, who confirmed that the attack lasted for hours said a military man that was on the same street stormed into his house, removed his uniform, and hid his gun. He said that based on the gunshots, the weapons used by the terrorists are highly sophisticated and will definitely be faster than the normal ones used by Nigerian security personnel.
According to a security source after the attack on Tuesday, they were mobilised to comb the prison area on Wednesday morning around 7 am.
According to him, a decision was made for the security operatives to search approximately one kilometer outside of the town after the quarry site because they knew that the attackers had made their way to Kuje Prison through the bush in the Kwali Area Council.
He stated that while they were in the bush close to Kwali, some of the assailants saw them and immediately took to their heels and they noticed that the assailants have mastered the terrain of that environment, they were not strangers there.
He explained further, ”As soon as they saw us, they sped off in the opposite direction. However, we gave them a strong pursuit, and we were able to apprehend one of them after firing three rounds into the air from close range and threatening to drop him dead if he made any more movement.
After they captured the terrorist, some farmers nearby reported to the prison officials that the suspect said he was a DSS agent on a secret mission in the woods.
It was reported that the terrorists used high explosives and guns during the attack at the Kuje Correctional Centre which led to the escape of over 800 inmates.
However, the Nigerian Correctional Service was able to apprehend some of the prisoners and return them to their cells.