Kuje Prison Break: Authorities Nab Terror Escapee In Abuja, Another In Suleja
BY VICTOR BUORO – Efforts by the Federal Government to recapture escapees from the Kuje Prison break are yielding results as operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested one of the wanted terror suspects.
The fleeing terrorist, Suleiman Sidi, was among those who escaped from the Medium Security Correctional Centre in Kuje, following an attack on the facility by insurgents last week in Abuja.
According to Femi Babafemi, the NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Sidi, was arrested in the early hours of Monday, July 11, 2022, at Area 1 motor park in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) while trying to board a commercial vehicle to Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.
Babafemi explained that when Sidi was searched, three wraps of cannabis sativa were found on him, adding that, during preliminary interview, the suspect confirmed being remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre for terrorism and robbery charges.
The NDLEA’s Spokesman said the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), has commended the officers and men of the FCT Command of the Agency for the arrest and their vigilance.
He the NDLEA Boss has also directed that the wanted suspect should immediately be handed over to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for further profiling and necessary action.
Idi is number four on the wanted list of fleeing terrorists released by the NCoS at the weekend.
The development brings to three the number of recaptured inmates who fled Kuje prison during last week’s invasion by the Boko Haram terrorist group where over 800 prisoners, including all the Boko Haram suspects, were declared missing.
Also, the Niger State Police Command has announced the arrest of Kazeem Murtala, another of the fleeing terror suspects.
The Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said the escapee was arrested in a compound in Suleja, Niger State on Saturday.
A statement by DSP Abiodun said; “In view of the recent attack at Kuje Custodial Center and escape of some inmates, on 9/07/2022 about 2030hrs, Police operatives attached to ‘A’ Div Suleja while on patrol around general hospital Suleja down to Bakassi area of Suleja and based on credible intelligence, the police operatives stormed an identified compound and arrested one Kazeem Murtala aged 54yrs.
“During interrogation, the inmate confessed that he escaped from Kuje Custodial Center during the attack where he was serving jail term after conviction for an offense he committed and he has been in the custody for the past two years.”
The first escapees was picked up on Saturday with Rahman Nansel, Police Public Relations Officer of Nasarawa Command, announcing the arrest of Hassan Hassan, another inmate who fled after Kuje prison raid
The Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) had claimed responsibility for the attack even as the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) officially released the names and pictures of the suspects.
