Federal government have admitted the Kuje prison break, which happened in the late hours of Tuesday night, and resulting in the escape of multiple numbers of criminal suspects and convicts, most of whom were in detention for terrorist activities and offences in the maximum security prison.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mr Shuaibu Belgore have also admitted that about 600 out of 994 inmates detained at the correctional center escaped during the jailbreak.

Mr Shuaibu Belgore disclosed this during a visit to the facility on Wednesday, during which he also said that over 300 of the escapee inmates have been found and returned to the facility, while others are being hunted down.

Background

Clariform reports that the Kuje correctional center is a maximum security prison and considered as one of the safest of such facility within the country.

It is the same facility where the disgraced former DCP Abba Kyari (a former Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Nigerian force), is also detained.

Abba Kyari who is currently on suspension and relieved from all police duties pending the outcome of an internal investigation into his alleged connection with Gucci King, is however, said to still be in custody.

Kuje correctional facility is known to house a good number of terrorists, mostly of the Boko Haram group, which have brought so much destructions and killing in Nigeria.

Takeaway

The Nigerian government have confirmed that the Boko Haram terrorist group is responsible for the jailbreak.

They group was on a mission to free their members who have been captured by the Nigerian soldiers and detained in the facility.

Mr Shuaibu Belgore admits that 600 hundred of these terrorists escaped on Tuesday night during the jailbreak, out of which over 300 have been retrieved.

Clariform reports however that Belgore who spoke for the government did not provide any prove of this claim that over 300 have been recovered and returned to the facility.

Further Development

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), security has been tightened in most parts of Kuje communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following sporadic gunshots and bomb blast reportedly heard at the Kuje Correctional Centre on Tuesday night.

Correspondent of NAN who went round the area, claimed to have observed heavy security presence with fierce-looking armed personnel in areas considered as flash points.

The agency reports that armoured tanks have been positioned around Kuje Prison junction, while various teams of security personnel in siren-blaring vehicles patrol the area.

The Police, in conjunction with other security operatives, have cordoned off the roads leading to the prison area and movements have been restricted in the area.

Police helicopters were seen flying above the area as banks and some schools remained closed due to the tension in the area, according to NAN.

Other security agents are also on red alert to forestall any breach of peace.

Residents leaving close to the area told NAN that the heavy gunshots which started at about 10.p.m. lasted close to an hour.

They said it was not clear who the gunmen were but it was believed they were some criminal elements.

Notable Quotes

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mr Shuaibu Belgore during a visit on Wednesday after the incident said the following:

“I wish to confirm that about 2200hrs, some yet-to-be-identified gunmen attacked the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje in the Federal Capital Territory,” Umar said.

“However, men of the Armed Squad of the Nigerian Correctional Service and other security agencies attached to the Custodial centre have responded and calm has been restored to the facility and the situation is under control.”

The incident comes hours after gunmen attacked a presidential advance convoy near Dutsinma, Katsina.

“The attackers opened fire on the convoy from ambush positions but were repelled by the military, police and DSS personnel accompanying the convoy,” presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu said.

“Two persons in the convoy are receiving treatment for the minor injuries they suffered. All the other personnel, staff, and vehicles made it safely to Daura.”