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The Federal Government has stated its resolve to investigate the circumstances which led to Tuesday night’s terrorist attack on the Kuje Medium Security Prison in Abuja, in which 879 inmates, including terrorists, escaped.
Vowing not to spare the rod should any form of complicity be established, government added that it had placed all security checkpoints in the country on alert, while currently combing areas within 100 kilometres radius of the prison.
Also, the government said it had begun a manhunt for inmates who escaped from the facility during the attack.
Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Abdulrauf Aregbesola, in a statement signed by his Media Adviser, Sola Fasure, noted that the security officers on duty had fiercely engaged the invaders and inflicted heavy casualty on them.
“Regrettably, given their unprecedented number, they overpowered the officers on duty. One of the security personnel that engaged the attackers was unfortunately killed. May his soul rest in peace! Calm and normalcy have since been returned to the Centre,” Aregbesola said.
According to him, preliminary investigation indicates that the Boko Haram terrorists may have been responsible for the attack.
He added that the Prisons Service, in conjunction with other security agencies, were working to bring back the escaped inmates.
On measures taken to forestall Tuesday night attack, Aregbesola explained that after the Abolongo, Oyo State, attack on a prison 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.’’
Aregbesola said he had consequently directed that the Nigerian Prisons Service urgently worked with other security agencies to fortify all prisons in the country and insulate them from future attacks, among other measures.
“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.
“We appeal to all residents to be calm but vigilant. Security is a collective work between government and the citizens. Kindly, therefore, report all suspicious individuals and activities to the nearest security agency around you.
‘’We appeal also to doctors and medical workers to treat and then immediately report anyone with gunshot wounds to the law enforcement agency.
“The minister has directed that all prisons in the country be fortified; that all personnel be vigilant and alert, to avoid a 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.
“The minister has pledged to continue to strengthen all correctional facilities and keep our people safe at all times,” the statement added.
