•President questions why prison defences failed to work
•Demands comprehensive report on incident
•DSS warned correctional facility of planned attack
•Presidency: Activities of criminals won’t discourage our govt
•Security cordon in Abuja after Kuje Prison bombing
•Atiku, Akeredolu, Afenifere, others speak on development
President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, visited the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abuja, which was attacked Tuesday night by scores of armed terrorists, and queried the intelligence gathering system of the authorities at the centre.
The president, who spent 30 minutes to assess the extent of damage at the Correctional Centre, however, wondered why prison defences failed to work and immediately requested for a comprehensive report on the incident.
But a notorious terrorist group, the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), has claimed responsibility for the violent attack on Kuje Prison in Abuja.
Buhari, who, like most Nigerians, was shocked by both the scale and audacity of the attack asked: “How did the defences at the prison fail to prevent the attack? How many inmates were in the facility? How many of them can you account for? How many personnel did you have on duty? How many of them were armed? Were there guards on the watchtower? What did they do? Does the CCTV work?”
After inspecting some of the points impacted by the attack, the president spoke to newsmen, during which he expressed disappointment with the intelligence system (and utilisation).
“I am disappointed with the intelligence system. How can terrorists organise, have weapons, attack a security installation and get away with it?” he queried.
Accompanied by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and his Chief of Staff, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, the President, said at the end of the visit that he was expecting “a comprehensive report” on the incident.
Earlier upon arrival, Buhari was briefed on the attack by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Mohammad Lamido Belgore, and the Controller General of Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, showing him the bombed-out section used to access first, and the records office, which was set on fire, adding that the invaders thereafter launched an attack on all cells in which Boko Haram terrorists were held.
The Commander-in-Chief was told that at the end of the attack, none of the 63 terrorists were accounted for, but it was emphasised that records were not lost, because they had been backed up.
Buhari was also informed that the security forces had recaptured 350 of the escapees while about 450 others were still unaccounted for, and that rapid work was under way to recapture the rest.
This, nonetheless, the presidency has said government would not be deterred from performing its official duties for the citizenry, despite the activities of terrorists in some parts of the country.
The Special Adviser on media and publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, made this known while responding to insinuation that President Buhari ought to shelve his journey to Dakar, Senegal to attend the International Development Association (IDA) for Africa Summit scheduled to hold today.
Critics had contended that cancelling the trip would allow the president to attend to pressing security issues, following the twin attacks on his advance convoy in Katsina and on Kuje Correctional Centre.
Adesina, who anchored the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting’s briefing by ministers, disagreed with the notion, saying, “The president should go (to Senegal), because there’s an international conference meant for heads of states and presidents; he should attend.
“You should never give in to terrorists. The moment terrorists begin to stop you from doing things, then, we might as well throw up our hands in surrender. The President should go ahead. Yes, it’s an international obligation.”
In an earlier release, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, had hinted that, the President would leave for Dakar to attend the IDA summit and return today.
IDA, an institution of the World Bank Group, he said, was deepening its support to drive a resilient recovery for countries hit by the global crises of climate and COVID -19, growing levels of insecurity and more recently, by the impact of the war in Ukraine through its historic $93 billion 20th replenishment cycle (IDA20) which goes into effect between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2025.
ISWAP Claims Responsibility for Kuje Attack
The Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), a notorious terrorist organization, has claimed responsibility for the attack on the Kuje facility, Abuja.
In a footage last night, the terrorist sect showed some of its men shooting their way into the facility, as tens of fighters were seen marching in groups while vehicles and buildings were on fire in the 38 seconds video.
An elderly man dressed in a native attire also joined the young men, who were shouting on top of their voices
The Islamic State’s A’maq Agency released the video with the caption, although in Arabic: “Fighters of Islamic State attacked Kuje prison in Abuja, yesterday, and succeeded in freeing dozens of prisoners.”
Security Cordon in Abuja After Kuje Prison Bombing
Meanwhile, there was massive security cordon around Abuja, following the attack on Kuje Correctional Center by fighters of Boko Haram, who stormed the prison and freed 150 terrorists, as well ass 450 inmates detained at the medium security prison, which also houses high profile inmates such as governors and senators.
THISDAY gathered that following fears that the insurgents were still lurking in the shadows and might launch another attack in the city, security forces were deployed to beef up troops at the entry points of the city as well as the entry and exit points of Kuje Area Council.
The Federal Capital Territory Authorities (FCTA), had last week, issued a veiled red alert, directing all social, relaxation centers and recreational parks to close by 7pm daily till further notice.
It was further gathered that beyond troop deployment, massive patrols and surveillance activities were intensified by police and intelligence agencies even as a flurry of security meetings had commenced apace.
There was also controversy surrounding the whereabouts of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, after bandits attacked the facility, where he was kept.
An official, who preferred anonymity, said the whereabouts of Kyari remained unknown to him as of 09.30am yesterday.
“We have not seen him today. He didn’t also come for early morning prayer as usual. But I don’t know what is happening. I am sure he is not missing and he didn’t escape. But I don’t know where exactly he is,” he said.
Spokesperson of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Umar Abubakar, also said, “Kyari is not missing” and was not moved from the Kuje prison.
“He is still in our custody. Nothing happened to him. He has not been moved,” he said.
In a statement yesterday, Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), said the armed squad of the service in collaboration with other security agencies responded to the attack.
The statement titled: “Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje attacked by gunmen”, stated that, the armed squad of the the service responded to the attack.
“I wish to confirm that at about 2200hrs, some yet-to-be-identified gunmen attacked the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, in the Federal Capital Territory.
“However, men of the Armed Squad of the Nigerian Correctional Service and other security agencies attached to the Custodial Centre have responded and calm has been restored to the facility and the situation is under control. Other details will be made available soon,” it said.
About 300 Boko Haram terrorists launched a violent attack on Kuje Correctional Center, deploying bombs, Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) and General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), freeing 1,365 inmates, including 150 Boko Haram fighters detained at the facility.
Six inmates and one security personnel were killed during the attack.
But the Minister of Defence, Maj.Gen Bashir Magashi (rtd), said of the 994 inmates at the prison, 600 escaped.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Bello, and the Commissioner of Police, Mr Sunday Babaji, were at the scene of the attack to inspect damaged facilities in the aftermath of the attack.
Prison officials said at the end of the attack after a roll call was taken at 2am yesterday, only 111 inmates were left.
The situation has also forced the relocation of other other high profile detainees.
The insurgents had attacked through the back of the prison and planted bombs around the facility.
The minister, who said the situation was under control, confirmed that Boko Haram inmates had all escaped.
“The attack started around 10:30pm. They came in their numbers, gained entrance into the prison and they released some of the inmates and which we are now following to see the kind of inmates that they have released.
“Very soon, we will give you the correct figure of the inmates that were taken. Aside that, we are trying to see what we can do to ensure that all escapees are returned.
“The prison is accommodating about 994 inmates and over 600 escaped. Many people have been recaptured and brought back to the prison. Maybe by the close of the day, more will have been captured and returned.
“I think everything is under control. The people who came to do this activity, from the records, we believe they belong to a particular group. Most likely, they are Boko Haram members, because we have sizeable number of Boko Haram suspects in detention, and presently, we cannot locate any of them. I think they are about 64 in the prison and none of them now is available; they have all escaped,” the minister said.
A statement issued by the minister’s office, said, Magashi, who was received and conducted round the damaged facility by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Interior, Belgore, described the organised crime as unfortunate.
“The Defence Minister, who had to delay his flying time to Owerri, Imo State, to attend the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL), was also briefed extensively by the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, as well as other heads of military and para-military agencies on hand at the location.
“This was with a view to conducting a post-attack analysis and to forestall a re-currence of the dastardly act by the gunmen believed to be terrorists,” the statement stated.
Fielding questions from journalists, the minister, however, appreciated the timely repelling of the attack by the gallant security operatives, who were drafted in on reinforcement to contain the attackers.
He reassured Nigerians that President Buhari would be briefed and also gave an assurance that the jailbreakers could not go unapprehended and would definitely face the wrath of the law.
The defence minister disclosed that further briefing on the incident that led to the attack would be received, adding that one life was lost on the side of the proactive repellants security forces.
The minister also tasked the Gomo of Kuje, Haruna Tanko Jibrin to summon all traditional chiefs in Kuje Area Council to combine intelligence with security agencies to apprehend all inmates, who escaped from the correctional facility.
He called on members of the communities to provide appropriate intelligence to the security agencies to enable them do their work.
He added that such incidents constituted a threat to everybody, hence the need for everyone to support the security agencies in carrying out their assignments.
Prison officials said over 150 terrorists were freed that night.
“All the major, biggest terrorists, armed robbers and kidnappers have escaped. No reinforcement came two hours after attack. Nobody came for assistance. Kuje correctional center completely taken over and all criminals and terrorists have escaped,” an official, who spoke anonymously, said.
PDP: APC Complicit in Kuje Prison Attack, Probes Redeployment of Soldiers 24hrs Before Attack
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has condemned in strong terms, the spate of insecurity and the audacity with which terrorists ravage the country unchallenged “under the rudderless All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.”
The PDP said the simultaneous terrorist attacks on the advance convoy of President Buhari in Katsina State as well as the correctional facility in Abuja, the nation’s capital, underscored the collapse of the security command and control structure under the failed, ineffective and uncoordinated Buhari-led APC administration.
A statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, stated that the terrorists’ attack on President Buhari’s convoy in his home State of Katsina as well as the ferocious invasion and the freeing of hundreds of terrorists and criminals from the Kuje Correctional Facility further confirmed that Mr. President has lost control of the security of the nation and that Nigerians were no longer safe under the APC.
According to the PDP, “The escalated spate of terrorism across the country has heightened apprehensions of complicity by the APC to open up the nation to more terrorists’ attacks with a view to stalling the 2023 general election.
“The failure of the APC administration to act on the intelligence provided by the Directorate of State Services (DSS), which on Tuesday July 5, 2022 reportedly warned of an impending attack on the Kuje Correctional Facility, gives credence to fears by Nigerians of complicity at very high level of the APC administration.
“This is in addition to further reports that soldiers deployed to the precinct of the Kuje Correctional Facility and who had become familiar with the terrain were redeployed 24 hours before the terrorists attacked.”
The PDP, therefore, demanded that the APC government should come clean on who ordered the reported redeployment of soldiers and who failed to act on the intelligence provided by the DSS.
Atiku Worries over Implications of Escapees on Abuja, Environs
Presidential candidate of the PDP in 2023, Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, expressed shock over the Kuje Prison break, stating that it has great security implications for people living in Abuja and environs.
He also consoled the federal government over the death of the immediate past secretary general of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Sanusi Mohammad Barkindo.
In series of tweets, the former vice-president, said, “I am concerned and saddened by reports of the attack on Kuje Prison by suspected terrorists.
“My concern arises not only from the prospects of the escape of detained terrorists and hardened criminals but of its implications for the security of lives and property to residents of Abuja and its environs.
“I wish to restate what I said to THISDAY Newspapers on Monday that our inability to enthrone a regime of law and order in which the arrest and prosecution of criminals will be made a priority as a deterrent to copycats is the reason why insecurity continues to fester in our country,” Atiku stated.
On the death of the immediate past Secretary General of OPEC, Atiku said, “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. I am saddened by the passing away of the Wali of Adamawa, Secretary-General of OPEC, and former GMD NNPC, Dr Muhammad Sanusi Barkindo. Barkindo left indelible marks in his service to our nation and OPEC. He was indeed a worthy ambassador of Nigeria.
“He died in active service, having delivered a speech at the ongoing Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference in Abuja and held a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari hours before passing. He was my very good friend, and he will be sorely missed.
“My condolences to his family and friends, management and staff of NNPC and OPEC. I pray that Allah forgives his sins and grants him Aljannah Firdaus. Ameen,” he stated
