The Senate Thursday descended on the management of Kuje Medium Security Custodian Centre over unhindered terror attack on the facility late Tuesday night by the dreaded Islamic State for West African Province (ISWAP).
The lawmakers expressed displeasure at the non-functional Close Circuit Television (CCTV) at the prison which incapacitated management and security from preventing and responding appropriately to the attack that led to escape of over 800 inmates.
The lawmakers’ angst came as the United States of America and the United Kingdom cautioned citizens in Nigeria to be security conscious and be mindful of where they go.
The terrorist attack led to death of four inmates and one officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
President Muhammadu Buhari had during his visit to the custodian centre Wednesday raised a lot of posers on intelligence failure.
Spokesman of the Nigeria Correctional Centre (NCS), Umar Abubakar, confirmed Wednesday that 443 of inmates who escaped after the attack were recaptured, bringing the total number of inmates in the facility to 578.
Senate
Expressing their anger on the incident during a similar on-the-spot assessment, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, his deputy, Ovie Omo-Agege and other principal officers, described the attack as very disappointing and failure of security system.
They wondered how 300 ISWAP operatives accessed the premises of correctional centre on foot, forced their ways into the various cells and released over 800 targeted inmates for over an hour without any counter offensive from security personnel on ground.
“This is unacceptable and will not be condoned. For CCTV and other relevant tracking gadgets not to be functional, are highly disturbing and dangerous for the security of inmates and residents of the Federal Capital Territory.
“The way the operation was even carried out based on inspection made by us, strongly indicates insiders’ connivance which must be critically looked into,” Senate President Lawan said.
From the barrage of questions fired at the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Haliru Nababa, it was revealed that 51 security officers were said to be on ground as at the time of the attack.
The 51 security operatives as submitted by CG NCS got overwhelmed by the 300 attackers armed with AK 47 and Improvised Explosives Devices (IEDs).
“Our men and other security operatives like the Army and Police gave the attackers the required counter offensive which made them to suffer casualty of about four terrorists,” he said.
Irked by his submission, Deputy Senate President Omo-Agege said killing four out of 300 is nothing to write home about.
“I’m personally disturbed by this your submission. Killing just four terrorists out of 300 is nothing to me. This type of poor response to heinous crime of this nature is not deterring in anyway because they can attack again,” he said.
Resolution
By way of resolution, the Senate President told the NCS boss to ensure proposals such as procurement of CCTV and other tracking gadgets as well as enough security personnel at the centre in the 2023 budget.
He also said very soon, the Senate Committee on Interior and other security related ones would summon the CG and other relevant authorities on its Custodian Centres for post mortem review of the incidences and required way out.
“There should be an end to all these issues of jail break or outright attacks. Our failing security system must be reviewed and required technology brought to bear because all maximum and medium correctional centres must have functional CCTV and well secured at all times against any form of attack,” he stressed.
‘Heads to roll’
In a related development, the federal government Thursday vowed to take appropriate action against anyone found wanting in the security breach at the Kuje facility.
Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola said this in a statement issued Thursday in Abuja.
He said security personnel had already combed the whole area, up to a distance of 100-kilometre radius in search for the escapees.
Aregbesola also said all checkpoints nationwide had been put on alert, noting that more than 400 of the escapees had been brought in and more still coming.
The statement signed by Aregbesola’s media adviser, Sola Fasure, said the minister pledged to continue to strengthen all correctional facilities and keep Nigerians safe at all times.
The statement said: “We are working with the Ministry of Defence and the Office of the National Security Adviser as well as other intelligence and security agencies to ensure that the attackers and the escaped inmates are captured and returned to custody.
“As we speak, security personnel are combing the whole area, up to a distance of 100 kilometers radius, looking for them. All checkpoints nationwide have been put on alert. More than 400 of them have been brought in and more are still coming.
“We appeal to all residents to be calm but vigilant. Security is a collective work between government and the citizens. Kindly therefore report all suspicious individuals and activities to the nearest security agency around you. We appeal also to doctors and medical workers to treat and then immediately report anyone with gunshot wounds to the law enforcement agency.
“The minister has directed that all correctional facilities in the country be fortified; that all personnel be vigilant and alert, to avoid recurrence.
“The Minister has directed that full investigation into the incident be carried out and should be briefed as soon as possible.
“If any complicity is established, the Minister has promised that appropriate actions would be taken.”
While explaining what went wrong, Aregbesola said: “The security officers on duty fiercely engaged them and inflicted a heavy casualty on them. “Regrettably, given their unprecedented number, they overpowered the officers on duty. One of the security personnel that engaged the attackers was unfortunately killed. May his soul rest in peace. Calm and normalcy have since been returned to the Centre.
“Preliminary investigation indicates that the Boko Haram sect may have been responsible for the attack. The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), in conjunction with other security agencies, are working to bring back in the escaped inmates.”
‘More attacks coming’
Meanwhile, United States Embassy has warned its citizens in Nigeria against travelling on the airport road in Abuja, the nation’s capital city.
Also, the United Kingdom citizens were warned to be cautious of travelling to 19 states in Nigeria.
Among the states are Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
They were advised to only embark on essential travel to Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, within 20km of the border with Niger in Kebbi state, Abia and non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Plateau, and Taraba.
In a statement Wednesday titled ‘Abuja FCT prison break near the airport on July 5, 2022’, the U.S. Embassy noted that crime had become endemic throughout Nigeria.
“On the night of July 5, 2022, an attack on Kuje Prison freed a large portion of the estimated 1,000 prisoners. The prison lies approximately 27 miles southwest of the Central Business District,” the statement said.
The U.S. warned its citizens to maintain a high state of personal security awareness for the next two weeks and avoid unnecessary travel on the airport road.
In a statement made available on its website Thursday, the US said, “It is recommended that U.S. citizens should maintain a high state of personal security awareness for the next two weeks and avoid unnecessary travel on the airport road.”
“Crime is endemic throughout Nigeria and tends to spike after dark. Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad.
“Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack-including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to target crowds more effectively. Frequently, their aim is focused on unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:
“High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc) Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists;
“Places of worship, schools, parks, shopping malls and markets. Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights),” it said.
Recommended actions
On actions to take, the U.S. Embassy asked the citizens to do the following: “Be aware of your surroundings. Keep a low profile. Carry proper identification. Monitor local media for updates. Review your personal security plans.
“Always drive with your windows rolled up and the doors locked. Avoid large gatherings and protests. Review alternative travel routes in case of unexpected protests or unrest. Exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests. Always keep the doors to your residence locked, even when at home.”
Catholic priest kidnapped in Benue
Also, a Catholic priest serving in Benue state, Rev. Fr. Peter Amodu, has been kidnapped.
Fr Amodu, who is from Agbaha Otukpa in Ogbadibo local government area of the state was kidnapped Wednesday along Ukwungaga-Otukpo express way by unknown persons alleged to be terrorising residents along that axis.
Blueprint learnt that since he was abducted, nobody heard anything from him or his abductors concerning his whereabouts.
Confirming the incident, Catholic Diocese of Otukpo, in a statement signed by the Diocesan Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Joseph Aboyi Itodo, said the incident took place at about 5.00pm while he was going to perform his sacred duty.
The letter which was addressed to all priests, religious and lay faithful reads in part, “We write to notify you of the kidnap of Rev. Fr. Peter Amodu, a priest of the Holy Ghost Congregation who is working in the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo as Parish Priest of Holy Ghost Parish, Eke-Olengbeche.
“The sad incident occurred 6th July, 2022 at about 5.00pm along Otukpo – Ugbokolo Road, Benue State, while he was on his way to celebrate the Holy Mass at Okwungaga-Ughbokolo.
“The Local Ordinary, Most Rev. Michael Ekwoyi Apochi, has called on all Christ’s Faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and beyond to earnestly pray for his quick and safe release as we intensify efforts to ensure his release.
“We commend our brother and all those in the kidnappers’ den to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary for their speedy and safe release from the hands of their abductors.”
