TheCable

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) says 443 inmates who escaped from Kuje prison in the federal capital territory (FCT) have been recaptured.

Abubakar Umar, NCS spokesman, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Gunmen had attacked the prison with explosives on Tuesday night, freeing many inmates — including “all Boko Haram suspects”.

Umar, in the statement, said the attackers broke into the prison using explosive devices, through the main entrance and the fence of the facility.

He said a personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the centre was killed in the attack, while three personnel of the correctional service were seriously injured.

“A total of 879 inmates escaped from the facility during the unfortunate attack. As at the time of this report, 443 have been recaptured, 551 inmates are currently in custody, 443 inmates are still at large, 4 inmates dead and 16 inmates sustained various degree of injuries and are being treated at the moment,” the statement reads.

“However, efforts are ongoing to recapture all fleeing inmates.

“The Service will deploy its Corrections Information Management System (CIMS) in synergy with National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to track all fleeing inmates and return them to custody.”

The spokesman added that at the time of the attack, 38 military personnel were on the ground “in addition to personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Civil Defence, DSS and our Armed Squad”.

“The public is also informed that some of the attackers were killed while some escaped with gunshot wounds,” he added.

“We, therefore, appeal to hospitals and other medical institutions and practitioners to report anyone that comes to them for treatment for gunshot injuries to the nearest law enforcement agency.”