The Boko Haram militants who stormed the Kuje Medium Custodial Center on Tuesday night, according to the Federal Government, have been ordered to be thoroughly pursued by all security agencies, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and the Ministry of Defense.
Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the interior minister, pledged that the government will stop at nothing to find and apprehend any inmates who had escaped from the prison.
Aregbesola said though calm has returned fully to the Kuje prison and its environs, ” the search for escapees has extended out Abuja to neighbouring states “, he added.
In a statement, the minister was represented by his media assistant Sola Fasure.
He said that the Minister has been informed about the late-Tuesday armed incursion by gunmen into the medium-security detention centre in Kuje, Abuja.
According to the statement, "Early indications suggest that the Boko Haram faction may have been behind the attack. Together with other security organisations, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) is attempting to recapture the escaped prisoners.
“After the Abolongo, Oyo State, attack on a correctional facility, in October last year, it became apparent that a new form of attack for which our system was not prepared for had emerged. Our system was primed to prevent and foil internal disturbance and riots, not external attacks/invasion, since the facilities were usually built around police and military formations.
“The minister then directed that the NCoS urgently work with other security agencies to fortify all correctional centres in the country and insulate them against future attacks, among other measures introduced.
“This was carried out, as well armed soldiers, police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officers were drafted to our facilities nationwide, to secure them against further attacks. Several but unsuccessful attempts were made to attack our facilities since then, as the armed guards repelled them on each occasion.
“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 kilometres 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 he should be briefed as soon as possible. If any complicity is established, the Minister has promised that appropriate actions would be taken.
“The Minister has pledged to continue to strengthen all correctional facilities and keep our people safe at all times.”