The Comptroller General of Prisons, Dr. Peter Ekpendu, on Sunday said
211 of the 270 inmates freed by gunmen that invaded the Medium Prison,
Minna, Niger State, have yet to be found while 64 of them have been
rearrested.
Ekpendu stated this while briefing newsmen on the situation of the
prison following the weekend attack by the gunmen during which prison
guards were overpowered.
"I wish to state categorically that the incident, which took place
less than 24 hours after handing and taking over between my
predecessor and I is very unfortunate. It is completely unacceptable.
We have to say any officer found culpable or found wanting will face
the full wrath of the law.
"Meanwhile, I have ordered the immediate transfer of 55 officers of
the state and zonal headquarters in the state to report at this prison
and the old prison, Minna, to beef up security," he said.
While appreciating the complementary efforts of the Army,Police, SSS
and other security agencies in stabilising the security of the area,
Ekpendu said search parties had been dispatched and spread over the
state to apprehend the fleeing inmates.
He said added that investigation into the matter had commenced and
rule out the involvement of Boko Haram in the attack.
The CGP said, "Modalities to checkmate these attacks are being put in
place by my administration and I want to assure you of the peace of
this prison and that of all prisons nationwide.
"On the last question of whether Boko Haram could be involved,
preliminary report and having gone round the prison facilities and
taken briefs from the officer in charge, the Comptroller of Prisons,
there is no evidence to link Boko Haram with the incident of yesterday
in this prison."
--PUNCH
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