Kabba Prison Attack: Soldier, Policeman Killed, Two NCoS Missing – FG
…Says security forces on trail of escaped inmates
The Federal Government on Monday confirmed the attack on the Medium Security Custodial Centre, in Kabba, Kogi State, by yet to be identified gunmen.
Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who confirmed the incident in a statement by his Media Adviser, Sola Fasure, said that during the unfortunate attack, security officers on duty comprised of 15 Soldiers, 10 Police Officers and 10 armed guards of the NCoS on duty fought gallantly to repel the attack.
Aregbesola however, said that one soldier and a policeman lost their lives during the attack while two officers of the Correctional Service are yet to be accounted for, adding that these were contained in the briefing of the Minister by the Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Haliru Nababa.
The statement said that the Kabba Custodial facility had 294 inmates as at the time of the attack, adding that many of the inmates escaped after the gunmen used explosives to destroy three sides of the perimeter fence. The Minister vowed that the Federal Government shall leave no stone unturned to bring the escaped inmates back to custody adding that the government is also putting INTERPOL on notice with their details, in case any of them attempts fleeing outside our shores.
According to him; “However, there remains 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. A tour of the facility is also ongoing.
“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”.
The Minister urged members of the public to stay calm as the situation is under control, adding that Nigeria’s security forces will find the attackers and bring them to justice.
He further 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.
“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,” he assured.
