Army has blamed the low fence and the absence of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras as largely responsible for inmates’ escape from the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in 2022.
The revelation is coming against the backdrop of the probe instituted by the House of Representatives Joint Committees on Reformatory Institutions, Justice, Police Affairs, Interior and Human Rights in Abuja, yesterday. The committee is investigating the whereabouts of inmates, who escaped from the correctional centre.
Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP) claimed responsibility for the July 2022 attack on Kuje Custodial Centre, which led to the escape of dozens of Boko Haram suspects.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, said after the prison break, the army observed that the Kuje custodial centre site was more of a built-up area. He added: “We observed issues of low fencing and a lack of CCTV cameras within the area. But these were unable to be put in place before the incident.”
Represented by the Assistant Director, Commercial Law, Directorate of Legal Services, Major Peter Ogbuinya, the COAS said the army was only playing a complementary role to the correctional centres, to assist them. He added that the army was not the only security agency deployed to the centre.
According to him, the day it took place, there was a rotation of troops, while avoiding comment on the possibility of an insider job. He added: “Before that incident, the Nigerian army had written a series of letters to the Comptroller-General of the Correctional Service concerning our observations and things that would enhance security.
“We are still working to know if there is any soldier, who failed to do what they were meant to do within the military hierarchy.” Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said the ministry was in support of the committee to decongest the prison.
Represented Ayoola Daniel, the minister said the correctional service had been moved from the Exclusive to the Concurrent list, adding that states were expected to take up the responsibility to decongest the prison.
Assistant Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Philip Ayuba, asked the committee to look into how lawyers in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) could be engaged in providing services for prisoners.
He stressed the need to embrace Alternative Conflict Resolution (ADR), to help decongest the correctional centres. Chairman, House Committee on Justice, Olumide Osoba, said: “We found ourselves in an embarrassing situation in July 2022.”
Chairman of the joint committees, Chinedu Ogah, said the correctional service is key to Nigeria’s security.
