Prison says Okah intact, no inmate escaped

The Nigeria Prison Service (NPS) has confirmed the jailbreak incident at the Kuje maximum Prison on Friday night, saying it was yet to ascertain whether or not any of the inmates escaped.

It would be recalled that the last time a similar incident took place was in March 2014, when some convicted Boko Haram terrorists being detained in the Department of State Services (DSS), facility in Abuja, made a bold effort to escape, leading to a heavy shoot out.

The NPS Public Relations Officer, Francis Enobore, who confirmed the incident however, debunked reports that a brother to Henry Okah, jailed leader of the Movement For The Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), Charles Okah, escaped during the jailbreak.

“There was an incident yesterday, but Okah was not involved. Charles Okah is still in custody”, Enobore said, adding that it was not clear why the incidence happened.

He said the service would release a statement once the preliminary investigation was concluded, stressing, “the Comptroller of Prisons has ordered an investigation and that is going on. We want to know if anybody escaped and if yes, their identities.”

Earlier, Mr. Okah, had in February, sued the Nigerian government for alleged violation of the rights of inmates at the Kuje Maximum Security Prison, and also asked the court to compel the government to pay him N350m damages for alleged violation of his fundamental rights.