BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – Following the combined efforts of the Nigerian Prison Service and other security agencies in Niger State, 30 prison inmates who escaped from the Minna Medium Security Prison on Sunday night have been recaptured.
Minister of Interior, General Abdulrahman Dabazzau (rtd), announced this on Monday after an on the spot assessment of the prison, adding however that there were security lapses at the Minna Prison.
Dabazzau also announced that the Federal Government is building a 3000 capacity prison in each of the six geopolitical zones and would recruit 6000 personnel,
According to the minister; “There are security gaps to be addressed in the prisons such as manpower, decongestion amongst others.”
Also speaking, the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello called for more commitment to duties adding his administration would work with the Federal Government on Prison reforms.
Sani-Bello said; “I will like to appeal to public servants generally to take their jobs seriously. Niger State Government will collaborate with the Federal Government to improve infrastructure of prisons across the state.”
In his comment, the Comptroller General of Prison, Jaafaru Ahmed said an investigative panel has been set up to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the jailbreak.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Niger State governor, Chief Press Secretary Jibrin Baba Ndace said Governor Sani-Bello, General Dabazzau, the Comptroller General of Prison, Jaafaru Ahmed were accompanied by heads of security agencies in the state. Other include members of Niger State Executive Council, top government officials from Ministry of Interior and Senior Prison officers from Nigerian Prison Service Headquarters.
It was reported that on Sunday, June 3, 2018 at about 8pm, there was a jail break at the Minna Medium Security Prison located at Tunga area of the Metropolis perpetuated by armed criminals who attacked the prison and gain access after exchange of fire with prison armed men.
