TheCable

The federal government has declared inmates who escaped from Kuje prison in Abuja wanted.

Insurgents had attacked the correctional service facility in the federal capital territory (FCT) on Tuesday night.

Over 900 inmates, including Boko Haram suspects who were in the prison, escaped.

The federal government, on Friday, released the names and photos of the fleeing inmates.

The Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) had claimed responsibility for the attack.

Shuaib Belgore, permanent secretary, ministry of interior, had said the insurgents came “very prepared” with explosives.

“The initial entry attempt was unsuccessful, then they attacked another section of the wall with higher grade explosives which brought the wall down,” he had said.

“The forces on ground did everything they could to repel them, but the number they came with were high, which they were not able to defend against.

“They kept on fighting gallantly [but] unfortunately the breach happened. Reinforcement came when they were halfway through it. They were eventually repelled. At the time they came in, they killed one NSCDC personnel while trying to save the situation.

“The inmates here are 994. We understand they are Boko Haram terrorists and came specifically for their conspirators.“