Most of the 700 inmates at the Kuje correctional facility in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory have reportedly escaped.
Other inmates, including the suspended deputy commissioner of police, Abba Kyari, who was remanded at the prison by a Federal High Court, have been removed from the facility
Kyari is standing trial for allegedly dealing in cocaine alongside four members of his former police unit, the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Unit (IRT), and two other persons arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, Enugu State, in January this year.
Gunmen suspected to be terrorists on Tuesday night attacked the prison facility in Nigeria’s capital city, and our correspondent learnt that the facility was ruined by the heavy firepower brought by the assailants.
Multiple sources said that the gunmen invaded the facility around 10 pm.
Details about the casualties suffered in the attack were still sketchy at the time of filing this report, but our correspondent quoted an ‘inside sources’ saying many inmates were able to escape.
“The place was completely ruined and all the inmates have left the facility for now, including Abba Kyari,” a source reportedly said.
“Most of the inmates have escaped from the facility; it is sad. It houses over 700 inmates,” another source said.
Earlier, while the attack was going on, one of our sources had said, “Can you hear the gunshot? We are under serious attack.”
Kuje prison was established in 1989, it has minimum and maximum holding cells where inmates are incarcerated.
It is famous for holding high-profile offenders, including former governors and ministers.