Rauf Aregbesola, minister of interior, says “appropriate
actions” will be taken if complicity is established in the ongoing
investigation into the attack on the correctional facility in Kuje.
On Tuesday night, gunmen attacked the facility, which is
located in the federal capital territory (FCT), and over 500 prisoners —
including “all Boko Haram suspects” — reportedly escaped.
Four inmates died in the incident, while an officer of the
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was also killed.
The Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) has
reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.
Speaking on the incident in a statement issued on Thursday
by Sola Fasure, his media adviser, Aregbesola said after the attack on a
correctional facility in Oyo state in October 2021, steps were taken to improve
security around correctional centres.
He, however, added that the correctional facility formations
have been directed to “fortify” centres across the country to prevent future
invasions.
“After the Abolongo, Oyo State, attack on a correctional
facility, in October last year, it became apparent that a new form of attack
for which our system was not prepared for had emerged. Our system was primed to
prevent and foil internal disturbance and riots, not external attacks/invasion,
since the facilities were usually built around police and military formations,”
the statement reads.
“The minister then
directed that the NCoS urgently work with other security agencies to fortify
all correctional centres in the country and insulate them against future
attacks, among other measures introduced.
“This was carried out, as well armed soldiers, police and
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers were drafted to our
facilities nationwide, to secure them against further attacks. Several but
unsuccessful attempts were made to attack our facilities since then, as the
armed guards repelled them on each occasion.
“We are working with the Ministry of Defence and the Office
of the National Security Adviser as well as other intelligence and security
agencies to ensure that the attackers and the escaped inmates are captured and
returned to custody. As we speak, security personnel are combing the whole
area, up to a distance of 100 kilometres radius, looking for them. All
checkpoints nationwide have been put on alert. More than 400 of them have been
brought in and more are still coming.
“The Minister has directed that all correctional facilities
in the country be fortified; that all personnel be vigilant and alert, to avoid
recurrence.
“The Minister has
directed that full investigation into the incident be carried out and he should
be briefed as soon as possible. If any complicity is established, the Minister
has promised that appropriate actions would be taken.”
Aregbesola also urged the public to report any suspicious
occurrences or persons in their neighbourhoods, and asked medical personnel to
“treat and then immediately report anyone with gunshot wounds to the law
enforcement agency”.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com