Jos Custodial Centre Attacker, Nine Inmates Killed, 252 Others Missing
The authorities have confirmed death of nine inmates in the ensuing gun duel between security agencies and gunmen that invaded the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Jos on Sunday. Six prisoners sustained major injuries with 252 others currently at large.
The statement further explained that one of the trapped attackers had been identified among the casualties.
It reads: “The attackers, who stormed the custodial centre at about 1720hrs on Sunday, November 28, 2021 engaged the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) armed squad personnel in a fierce gun battle before breaking into the yard.
“Sadly, one of the NCoS armed squad personnel paid the supreme price in the encounter, while nine inmates also lost their lives. Another staff of the service was shot in the hand and six inmates were also injured in the attack.
“Meanwhile, some of the attackers and a total of 262 inmates escaped in the melee before reinforcement could come from sister services. However, 10 have so far been recaptured, leaving 252 at large.”
The Controller-General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa, who condoled with the family and friends of the fallen officer, vowed that the perpetrators would be hunted and made to face the full wrath of the law.
He, therefore, called for collaboration from patriotic individuals to apprehend the fleeing inmates, as well as volunteering credible intelligence to forestall future recurrence.
The custodial centre as at the time of the attack had 1,060 inmates – comprising 560 pre-trial detainees – and 500 convicts.
Relatedly, the security meeting convened by the Plateau State Government to review the incident, yesterday, ended in a stalemate.
Presided by Deputy Governor Sonni Tyoden in Jos, the parley ended with the participants dashing out of the venue with the sealed lips.
The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dan Manjang, who was briefed reporters on the outcome, came out ruffled saying: “The briefing had been declined. Sorry for that” without stopping to explain why.
It was gathered that there was a sharp disagreement between the government and security heads, making the meeting a fiasco.
According to the source, they (officials) do not know what to tell journalists.
