Kuje Prison Attack: 879 inmates, 64 B’Haram members escape, 443 recaptured
The Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Abuja was assaulted with explosives by gunmen on Tuesday night, according to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), which confirmed the attack on Wednesday.
Umar Abubakar, the NCoS Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) who confirmed the incident said: “A total of 879 inmates escaped from the facility during the unfortunate attack. As of the time of this report, 443 have been recaptured, 551 inmates are currently in custody, 443 inmates are still at large, 4 inmates are dead and 16 inmates sustained various degrees of injuries and are being treated at the moment. However, efforts are ongoing to recapture all fleeing inmates.
“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 confirm 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.
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“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.
According to inside sources, for over 2 hours and 45 minutes more than 300 terrorists took over the Kuje prison in Abuja with GPMGs, Bombs, RPGs, many Rifles and other dangerous automatic weapons shouting Allahu Akbar.
The total population of the Kuje Prison inmates was about 1,476, and only 111 of the inmates refused to escape and decided to remain in the prison.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, while reacting to the incident said there are strong indications that the terrorists invaded the facility to free their members being held in detention.
He said: “Most likely, they are Boko Haram because we have a sizeable number of Boko Harams that are in detention”.
“Presently, we could not locate any of them. I think there are about 64 Boko Haram (members) in prison, they have all escaped.”
The Controller General of Corrections Haliru Nababa FICMC, mni who appreciated the efforts of other security agencies for coming to the rescue of the Service promptly called 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.
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