September 13, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government said it has put INTERPOL on notice with details of fleeing inmates of the Kabba Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kogi State.
Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who confirmed the attack on the facility on Monday, said only 28 of 294 inmates at the centre as of the time of the attack, did not escape.
The minister in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Sola Fasure, said, the gunmen used explosives to destroy three sides of the centre’s perimeter fence.
One soldier and a policeman were said to have been killed during the attack, while the whereabouts of two other officers remain unknown.
The statement reads: “The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has been briefed by the Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, on the unfortunate attack on Kabba Medium Security Custodial Centre, in Kabba, Kogi State, by yet to be identified gunmen.
“During the attack, security officers on duty which consisted 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.
“The Kabba Custodial facility had 294 inmates 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.”
The statement added that a tour of the facility is ongoing, adding that a crisis response centre has been activated and a Special Taskforce mobilised to recapture escaped inmates whilst an Inter-Agency Security Task Force is already on the trail of the gunmen who attacked the facility.
It advised the public to remain calm as the situation is under control.
“The Minister of Interior, 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 attempt to flee 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”, the statement added.
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