Aregbesola gives details of how terrorists attacked Kuje prison, faults security agents

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola has revealed that the terrorists that attacked the Kuje Correctional facility disarmed 31 military personnel protecting the prison.

At an investigative hearing by the House of Representatives Joint Committee investigating the Kuje Custodial Centre attack, Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola admitted, for the first time, that security agents failed in countering the terrorists.

Mr Aregbesola said he would have disclosed the type of weapons at the disposal of the men, however, he would not be doing that in the presence of the media. He called for an executive session.

“On the night of the attack, Kuje accommodated 994 inmates out of which 64 were terror suspects, Boko Haram, ISWAP, and others. No fewer than 888 inmates escaped during the attack, among them were 554 awaiting trial persons. 71 were convicts, 36 were on death row and 17 were on life imprisonment and 106 refused to leave the facility during the attack.  About 28 inmates who left the facility, voluntarily returned between the 6th and 15th of July.

“In that facility on that day of the invasion were 31 military personnel of the Nigerian army, five personnel of MOPOL 21, five personal of MOPOL 50, two personnel of counter-terrorism unit of the Nigeria police, two personnel of Kuje police division, seven personnel of Nigeria Immigration Service, three personnel of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), 10 personnel of correction armed square.

“These 65 people were there for the specific responsibility of assisting and preventing any attack and they were all armed.

“These 65 people were posted to protect the prison from any attack and they were all armed. Because of the presence of the press, I will not mention the specific arsenal at their disposal.

His comment led to a mild drama when the committee members debated on whether or not reporters should cover the hearing.

The short drama ended briefly with reporters being allowed to cover the proceeding.