Kuje Prison Attack: How Explosives Were Used During Attack

 

—Fear Grips Kuje Residents Following Attack, Heavy Bombardment; Three Bomb Blasts At Correctional Center. 

— Nigerian Government Confirms Gunmen Attack On Kuje Prison Where Hundreds Of Inmates Escaped. 

The Kuje Medium Correctional Centre, in the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, on Tuesday night came under heavy bombardment by unknown gunmen believed to be terrorists.

It was gathered that the sudden attack, which began at exactly 10:26pm threw the entire area council into confusion as residents ran in different directions for safety.

According to an eyewitness account, “the first explosion, a high capacity bomb, went off around 10.27 pm. It was followed by the second and third blasts and sporadic gunshots that left the residents scampering into safety.

“Immediately, security forces were mobilized to the scene by the Prison officials who are still battling to arrest the situation.”

Another source in a viral video online said,

 “Can you hear the gunshot, we are under serious attack."

Watch Video : 

As 11:42pm, it was reported that calm was returning as security reinforcement was being effected while security roadblocks were being mounted.

A senior correctional centre official  revealed that the situation was under control and that the attackers came from the back of the correctional center.

Nigerian Government Confirms Hundreds Of Inmates Escaped. 

Nigerian Government Confirms Gunmen Attack On Kuje Prison Where Hundreds Of Inmates Escaped

The NCoS Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Mr Abubakar Umar, confirmed the attack, adding that the security operatives were trying to salvage the situation.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) on Wednesday confirmed that gunmen attacked the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abuja with explosives on Tuesday night.

The NCoS Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Mr Abubakar Umar, confirmed the attack, adding that the security operatives were trying to salvage the situation.

Meanwhile, the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Umar, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

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 and calm has been restored to the facility and the situation is under control.

“Other details will be made available soon.”

Most of the 700 inmates at the Kuje correctional facility in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory escaped, a report by SaharaReporters reveals. 

"Most of the inmates have escaped from the facility; it is sad. It houses over 700 inmates," a source said.

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.