One Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel and four inmates have been confirmed dead during the attack on the Kuje custodial centre.
Boko Haram terrorists had attacked the centre and freed inmates, including 64 of their members held in custody, in the attack that lasted hours on Tuesday night.
A statement on Wednesday by the Service spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, said the terrorists used explosives on the centre’s fence and its main entrance to gain access to the facility.
It read, “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 living three (3) personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service seriously injured.”
He added that a total of 16 inmates and three custodial officers were injured during the attack.
However, Umar said 879 inmates escaped from the facility, while 443 had been recaptured, and 551 are still at large.
He said the service would collaborate with the National Identity Management Commission to track all the fleeing inmates.
Umaru 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, four inmates are dead, and 16 inmates sustained various degrees 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 the 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 centre 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 who comes to them for treatment for gunshot injuries to the nearest law enforcement agency.”
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore, has said over 600 of the inmates fled the prison when it came under attack late Tuesday night.
Belgore stated that those behind the attack were Boko Haram terrorists who came specifically for their members held in custody.
He, however, said about 300 had been recaptured, while 300 were still at large.
