After the attack on the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abuja by gunmen on Tuesday night, most of the 700 inmates at the facility have reportedly escaped.
The gunmen in commando-style attacked the correction centre with explosives and sporadic gunshots.
According to reports, other inmates, including the suspended deputy commissioner of police, Abba Kyari, who was remanded at the prison by a Federal High Court, have been removed from the facility.
Kyari is standing trial for allegedly dealing in cocaine alongside four members of his former police unit, the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Unit (IRT), and two other persons arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Enugu State, in January this year.
Residents close to the area said the heavy gunshots started at about 10 pm and lasted close to an hour. They said it was not clear who the gunmen are but believed to be some criminal elements.
Details about the casualties suffered in the attack were still sketchy at the time of filing this report, but one of the qouted Sahara Reporters ‘inside sources’ said many inmates were able to escape.
“The place was completely ruined and all the inmates have left the facility for now, including Abba Kyari,” a source reportedly said.
“Most of the inmates have escaped from the facility; it is sad. It houses over 700 inmates,” another source said.
Earlier, while the attack was going on, one of our sources had said, “Can you hear the gunshot? We are under serious attack.”
Meanwhile, the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Mr Abubakar Umar has confirmed the attack.
In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, Umar confirmed that the yet-to-be-identified gunmen attacked the prison at about 10 pm.
“However, men of the Armed Squad of the NCoS and other security agencies attached to the Custodial centre have responded.
“Calm has been restored to the facility and the situation is under control. Details will be made available soon,” he said.