A total of 879 inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, Abuja, after terrorists broke into the facility using explosive devices through the main entrance and the fence in the late hours of Tuesday, according to authorities.
Although suspended Police Officer, DCP Abba Kyari and other VIPs held in the facility did not escape and are presently in custody, hale and hearty.
A personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the Custodial Centre was killed, while three personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service sustained grave injuries.
According to its Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Corrections Umar Abubakar, 443 inmates have been recaptured, 551 inmates are currently in custody, 443 inmates are still at large, four inmates dead, and 16 inmates sustained various degrees of injuries.
“I wish to state 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, killing a personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the Custodial Centre and leaving three (3) personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service seriously injured.
“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, four 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.
“As at the time of the attack on the Kuje facility, we have 38 military personnel on the ground in addition to the 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 appeal to hospitals and other medical institutions and practitioners to report anyone who comes to them for treatment for gunshot injuries to the nearest law enforcement agency.
“The Controller General of Corrections Haliru Nababa FICMC, mni appreciates the efforts of other security agencies for coming to the rescue of the Service promptly. He calls on the public to volunteer useful information that may lead to the arrest of the fleeing inmates,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, in the company of Heads of Security Agencies and Officials, conducted an on-the-spot assessment of the facility.
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