How Bandits invaded Kuje free terrorists, others
- Maina, Farouk Lawan, Abba Kyari, 110 inmates stayed back -official
By Ben Ekezie
Suspected terrorists have seized control of the prisons in Kuje, an Abuja suburb, freeing hardened criminals into the nation’s capital.
According to an eyewitness account, the insurgents numbering about 300 stormed the facility at about 10:20 p.m. yesterday, detonating explosives and opening live rounds on state agents guarding the facility.
“Suspected Boko Haram attackers have just seized the prisons from our control. All the prison records have been destroyed, private and government vehicles all burnt down, we are currently hiding and waiting for re-enforcement,” the witness said.
The eyewitness who is also an official of the prison stated that prison holds suspects ranging from former Chairman of the defunct Pension Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, embattled police chief Abba Kyari, Farouk Lawan, to infamous terror masterminds.
“All major, biggest terrorists, armed robbers and kidnappers have escaped. They operated for over two hours shouting Allahu Akbar and as at 2am when head count was taken only 111 inmates were left. We had about 1476 inmates before the attack. Most of the high-profile inmates including former governor of Taraba State, Jolly Nyame, Abba Kyari, Farouk Lawan and several others stayed back. The terrorists were urging all the inmates to flee and go and celebrate Sallah with their families.”
Soldiers and other security personnel around the facility reportedly fled when the attackers arrived on motor bikes with heavy artillery weapons.
A spokesman for the Nigerian Correctional Service and the FCT police did not immediately return requests seeking details about the incident late Tuesday.
The attack comes as insecurity inundated President Muhammadu Buhari and his security chiefs. Earlier on Tuesday, the administration confirmed an attack on the president’s convoy in his home Katsina state.
