Kabba Prison attack: Four security men may have been lost

Four security personnel might have been lost during an attack on Kabba Medium Security Custodial Centre, in Kogi State.

The Minister’s office of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola was briefed on the incident that happened earlier Monday morning by the Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Haliru Nababa.

The Minister was told that during the attack, security officers on duty which comprised of 15 Soldiers, 10 Police Officers and 10 armed guards of the NCoS on duty fought gallantly to repel the attack, but however two officers of the Correctional Service are yet to be accounted for while one soldier and a policeman lost their lives during the attack.

A statement by the Media Adviser to the Minister of Interior, Sola Fasure said the Minister has been briefed by the Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Haliru Nababa, on the unfortunate attack on Kabba Medium Security Custodial Centre, in Kabba, Kogi State, by yet to be identified gunmen.

He disclosed that the Kabba Custodial facility had 294 inmates as at the time of the attack, many of whom escaped after the gunmen used explosives to destroy three sides of the perimeter fence. 

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He said however 28 inmates stayed back and some have also voluntarily returned to the facility as at this morning.

He said the Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, is currently monitoring the situation, noting that the tour of the facility is also ongoing.

He revealed that a Crisis Response Centre has been activated and a Special Taskforce mobilized to recapture escaped inmates whilst an Inter-Agency Security Task Force is already on the trail of the gunmen who attacked the facility, while advising the public to stay calm as the situation is under control.

The Minister assured the citizenry that Nigeria’s security forces will find the attackers and bring them to justice. He said: “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.”

He said: “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.”

He warned the fleeing inmates that escaping from lawful custody is a serious criminal offence. 

He said: “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.”

Aregbesola said: “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.”

He promised to provide further updates after the end of the preliminary assessment.

Kabba Prison attack: Four security men may have been lost