° 100 inmates escape
Gunmen have attacked Kabba Medium Security Custodial Centre, in Kabba, Kogi State, killing three security personnel and freed 100 inmates.
Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has been briefed by Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCOs), Haliru
Nababa, on the unfortunate attack on the Centre, by yet-to-be-identified gunmen.
It was gathered that during the attack, security officers on duty which comprised 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 Services are yet to be accounted for while one soldier and a policeman lost their lives during the attack.
According to Media Adviser to the Minister of Interior for Honourable Minister of Interior, Sola Fasure:”The Kabba Custodial facility had 294 inmates as at the time of the attack, many of whom escaped after the gunmen used explosives to destroy three sides of the perimeter fence. However, there remain 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. The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, assures the citizenry that Nigeria’s security forces will find the attackers and bring them to justice. We shall leave no stone unturned to bring them back to custody.
“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.
“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.
The Nigeria Correctional Service shall 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”.
