A personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and four inmates of the Kuje custodial centre have been confirmed to have died during Tuesday night’s attack on the facility.
On Tuesday night, Boko Haram terrorists had attacked the facility, freeing inmates, including 64 of their members held in custody.
A statement on Wednesday by the NCS spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, said in a statement on Wednesday that the terrorists used explosives on the facility’s fence and its main entrance to gain access.
It stated, “In furtherance to my earlier press release on the unfortunate attack by gunmen suspected to be terrorists, I wish to state that the attackers broke into the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje 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 added that 16 other inmates and three custodial officers were injured during the attack.
Umar disclosed that 879 inmates escaped from the facility, but 443 had been recaptured while 551 others are still at large.
He said the NCS and the the National Identity Management Commission would collaborate to track all the fleeing inmates.
The NCS spokesperson added, “A total of 879 inmates escaped from the facility during the unfortunate attack. As at the time of this report, 443 have been recaptured, 551 inmates are currently in custody, 443 inmates are still at large, 4 inmates dead and 16 inmates sustained various degree of injuries and are being treated at the moment. However, efforts are ongoing to recapture all fleeing inmates.
“The Service will deploy its Corrections Information Management System in synergy with National Identity Management Commission to track all fleeing inmates and return them to custody.”
He also dismissed claims that DCP Abba Kyari escaped from the center during the attack.
Umaru said, “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.
“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.”
