By Okhide Em’ya David
Nigerian correctional Service has confirmed the recent reports of attack on its facility in Ubiaja, Edo State, something that has become a recurring event after the EndSars protest of last year.
The attack involved a failed jail break at Ubiaja Correctional Centre in Edo State on Wednesday, where the inmates attempted to fight their way out of custody, but were resisted by the staff of the Correctional Centre and other security agencies attached to the custodial centre to beef up security.
Below is the Press release from the state command PRO of the Nigerian Correctional Service:
On Wednesday 14th April 20:21, the inmates at Medium Security Custodial Centre Ubiaja attempted a jailbreak. This started as an unrest by the inmates refusing to return to their cells on been opened out as it is the routine practice.
Investigation later revealed that some hardened criminals among the inmates instigated others to riot having heard of what happened at Oko, Benin and Owerri to effect jail break for possible escape.
This led to violence, damaging of cells, the admin blocks, medical office and boring of holes on the perimeter fence in a bid to facilitate their escape from custody.
They were eventually repelled and overpowered due to the re-enforcement of armed personnel of the Correctional Service, the Police Force, Nigerian Army, NSCDC and the DSS who were deployed to the Custodial center to ensure calm and full control of the situation.
The situation is fully under control with the inmates returned to their cells. No life was lost but some staff and inmates sustained various degrees of injuries and no inmate escaped from custody.
The Controller of Corrections, Edo State Command, Felix Lawrence who was was at the custodial centre in person, thanked the various sister security agencies for the effective synergy and prompt response. This he described as a clear statement to the public that there is commitment to peace and security in the state.
He therefore assures the general public of peace and calm of the various custodial centers in Edo state command.
