Armed men have attacked a correctional facility in Kabba, Kogi State, killing two officials and freeing many inmates.
Sola Fasure, a spokesperson of the Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, confirmed the attack in a statement.
Mr Fasure said his boss was briefed that the gunmen attacked the Kabba Medium Security Custodial Centre. The attack is believed to have occurred in the late hours of Sunday.
“During the attack, security officers on duty which comprised of 15 soldiers, 10 police officers and 10 armed guards of the NCoS on duty fought gallantly to repel the attack.
“Regrettably, two officers of the correctional service are yet to be accounted for while one soldier and a policeman lost their lives during the attack,” he said.
“The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has been briefed by the Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Haliru Nababa, on the unfortunate attack on Kabba Medium Security Custodial Centre, in Kabba, Kogi State, by yet to be identified gunmen.
“During the attack, security officers on duty which comprised of 15 soldiers, 10 police officers and 10 armed guards of the NCoS on duty fought gallantly to repel the attack. Regrettably, two officers of the correctional service are yet to be accounted for while one soldier and a policeman lost their lives during the attack.
“The Kabba custodial facility had 294 inmates as at the time of the attack, many of whom escaped after the gunmen used explosives to destroy three sides of the perimeter fence. However, there remains 28 inmates who didn’t escape. Some have also voluntarily returned to the facility as at this morning.
“The Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, is currently monitoring the situation. A tour of the facility is also ongoing.
“A cisis response centre has been activated and a special taskforce mobilized to recapture escaped inmates whilst an inter-agency security task force is already on the trail of the gunmen who attacked the facility. The public is advised to stay calm as the situation is under control,” he said. ##
