By Uzair Adam Imam
Reports coming from Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, have disclosed how suspected gunmen stormed Kuje Prison last night, leading to the escape of no fewer than 900 inmates.
The Daily Reality learned that high-profile Boko Haram and bandits were among the 900 inmates that escaped from the prison.
Our reporters gathered that there had been sounds of explosives and gunshots from the attackers around 10 pm on Tuesday.
The attack which lasted for good two hours claimed the lives of many officials of the correctional facility and dozens of security operatives were seriously injured.
According to a source, “the Kuje prison has been compromised with explosives by the invading terrorists. They stormed the facility around 10.05 pm. They were heavily armed. At least 900 inmates escaped.
“The invaders used dynamites and destroyed the heavily fortified facility, including the Central Terrorism Unit (CTU), freeing all the terrorists there,” the source said.
However, the Nigerian Correctional Service commandant, Umar Abubakar, disclosed in a statement that the armed squad of the service in collaboration with other security agencies responded to the attack.
He said, “I wish to confirm that at about 2200hrs, some yet-to-be-identified gunmen attacked the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, in the Federal Capital Territory.
“However, men of the Armed Squad of the Nigerian Correctional Service and other security agencies attached to the Custodial Centre have responded, normalcy has been restored to the facility and the situation is under control.