*64 Boko Haram inmates fleeced away, 443 regular inmates recaptured

*Abba Kyari other VIPs safe in custody 

A total of 879 inmates at the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, have escaped from the facility after Tuesday evening attack by terrorists suspected to be of the ISWAP and Boko Haram sects.  

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), CSC Umar Abubakar in a press statement midday Wednesday, stated that “the attackers broke into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, 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”.

He also confirmed that the attack was carried out by suspected terrorists.

He also stated that a total of 443 inmates have however been recaptured, bringing the total number of inmates in custody to 551 and 443 inmates still at large.

He added that four inmates were killed, while 16 others sustained various degree of injuries and are being treated at the moment. 

He added that efforts are on-going to recapture all fleeing inmates.

He said: “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”.

He recalled “that after the attack at the Medium Custodial Centre in Agbolongo, Oyo state, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, met with the heads of the security agencies under his supervision where the idea of Joint Security Task Force 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”.

He noted that “the Controller General of Corrections Haliru Nababa, appreciates the efforts of other security agencies for coming to the rescue of the Service in a timely manner. 

“He calls 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 being 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”.

*64 Boko Haram members escaped from nKuje Prison  – Defence Minister

Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, has reacted to attack, stating that all the 64 members of the Boko Haram terrorists have fled from the facility.

Addressing reporters Wednesday, Magashi said that the intention of the terrorists wasto free their members being held in detention.

He explained that the Federal Government is working hard to ensure that other fleeing inmates were recaptured and returned in the facility.

“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.”

Noting that the situation is under control, he said the correctional centre could accommodate 994 prison inmates.

Of the figure, the Defence Minister said the government has been able to track down 600 inmates who have been recaptured.

He stated further that before the end of the day, many more inmates still hiding would be rearrested and sent back to the facility.

Magashi added, “We are trying to see what we can do to ensure that all the escapees are brought back to the prison yard. I think the prison is an accommodation for about 994 inmate escapees.

“We have 600 already inside now and many people are being captured and brought back to the prison. 

“Maybe by the close of the day, more would have been captured. I think everything is under control.”

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mr Shuaibu Belgore, had earlier explained that over 300 of the inmates have been re-arrested and more are on the way.

He also said that it is unclear how many of the gunmen were killed, adding that the government lost one official with three others injured.