•We will find the attackers, bring them to justice -Interior Minister
The spokesman for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Mr Francis Enobore has disclosed that the Comptroller–General, Haliru Nababa, has ordered a recapture procedure to be activated immediately, with a detailed investigation to be carried out, even as he leads a team to assess the situation.
Unknown gunmen had stormed the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kabba, Kogi State, in Kabba, Kogi State, at midnight on Sunday, September 12, 2021, attacked the officials and set free no fewer than 240 inmates.
The gunmen also reportedly killed some soldiers who mounted a barricade in the area, and some officers at the prison gate before invading the facility.
An early morning downpour was said to have aided the escape of the inmates.
However, Thenewsbearer learnt that about 100 inmates had been arrested by officials of the correction facility, while an unspecified number voluntarily returned.
Making the disclosure about the CG’s order while confirming the incident in a statement on Monday, Enobore said that the attackers in their numbers arrived at the custodial centre heavily armed and immediately engaged the guards in a fierce gun battle.
Mr Enobore further stated that the Comptroller-General also appealed to the general public to furnish security operatives with useful intelligence that would assist in recapturing the escapees.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has assured the citizenry that Nigeria’s security forces will find the attackers and bring them to justice, as security forces are on trail of the escapees.
He also promised that no stone would be left unturned to bring the prison escapees back to custody.
According to a statement by the
Media Adviser to the Minister of Interior, Sola Fasure, the Minister had been briefed by the Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Haliru Nababa, on the unfortunate attack
The Media Adviser made it known that during the attack, security officers on duty, which comprised of 15 Soldiers, 10 police officers and 10 armed guards of the NCoS on duty fought gallantly to repel the attack.
“Regrettably, two officers of the Correctional Service are yet to be accounted for while one soldier and a policeman lost their lives during the attack,” he said.
He stated further that Kabba Custodial facility had 294 inmates as at the time of the attack, with many of them escaping after the gunmen used explosives to destroy three sides of the perimeter fence.
“However, there remains 28 inmates who didn’t escape. Some have also voluntarily returned to the facility as at this morning.
“The Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, is currently monitoring the situation. A tour of the facility is also ongoing.
“A Crisis Response Centre has been activated and a Special Taskforce mobilized to recapture escaped inmates whilst an Inter-Agency Security Task Force is already on the trail of the gunmen who attacked the facility.
“The public is advised to stay calm as the situation is under control. We are also putting INTERPOL on notice with their details, in case any of them attempts fleeing outside our shores.
“We urge the people, especially the communities around the custodial facility, to be vigilant and report any strange and suspicious persons or activities to the nearest law enforcement agency,” he added.
Giving a warning to escapees, the Media Adviser, speaking on behalf of the Interior Minister, said: “To the fleeing inmates, escaping from lawful custody is a serious criminal offence. Law enforcement agencies and citizens are lawfully empowered to use all necessary means to arrest and bring you to justice.
“You should therefore know what you are up against. You will however be eligible for mitigation if you wilfully surrender yourselves at the nearest law enforcement office.”
He said that “the Nigeria Correctional Service would not be cowed by elements seeking to compromise the security of our nation; we shall deal with this situation with absolute resolve.
Further updates will be provided after the end of the preliminary assessment.”
Thenewsbearer gathered that Kabba MSCC was established in 2008 with a capacity of 200.
As of the time of the invasion, 294 inmates were in custody out of which 224 were pre-trial detainees and 70 convicted inmates.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of zone 8, Lokoja, Ayuba Ede, also confirmed the incident on Monday.
He said that the state Commissioner of Police and other security chiefs in the state were already working on the case.
