Attempted Jailbreak, Shooting at Kuje Prison: What Happened, by NPS

Dele Ogbodo in Abuja

The Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Federal Capital Territory Command, on Monday explained the alleged jailbreak at Kuje Prison, which resulted in shooting and release of tear gas by prison officials.

THISDAY, however, gathered that the sporadic shooting was as a result of an attempted jailbreak by inmates in the facility.

An eye witness who was around the facility said in a telephone chat: “There is a lockdown in the prison; prisons officials are throwing tear-gas at the inmates to cow them because of the last jail break.”

According to our source, some of the inmates complained of deteriorating condition and the falling standard of living at the facility which generated angst among them and consequently led to the mild upheaval in the prison.

Reacting to the development on phone, the Federal Capital Territory Prisons Command, Mr. Daniel Odharo, who spoke through his Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chukwuedo Humphrey, on phone said there was some form of altercation between prison officials and inmates at about 10 am.

He said: “At about 1000hrs on Monday 29th August, 2016, staff of Kuje Prison carried out a routine cell-search which is a part of the Prisons operational guidelines to prevent breach of security within and around the prisons.

“Some inmates tried to resist the exercise which led to an altercation between the search party and the inmates.”

According to him, the upheaval was quickly put under effective control, adding that no prisoner was injured. No property was damaged and the yard has been calm and peaceful, he added.

The Controller assured that the security and wellbeing of prisoners in the Federal Capital Territory will continue to be held as a priority task and will never be compromised.

Also when contacted the spokesperson of the Nigerian Prison Service (NPS) Francis Enobore, however, confirmed the incident, saying, “We have received report of a problem in Kuje Prision but give me a little time to get the facts on it as some of our men are already on ground to handle the situation.

“We are monitoring what is happening. I will revert to you as soon we get more detail from our men on the ground.”