The Minister of Interior, Rtd. Lt.Gen Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau has disclosed that 182 out of the 210 prisoners in the Minna Medium Security Prison are still at large.
Speaking to newsmen after an on-the-spot assessment after the prison break in Minna on Monday, Dambazau said that two condemned prisoners who were supposed to be confirmed on Monday were among the escapees.
“Among the escapees were two condemned criminals who were supposed to have being executed today. That is probably part of the motivation for this prison break. However, investigation will bring out most of these. ”
The Minister disclosed that there were some security gaps which must be covered which led to the success of the operation by the gunmen, “the visit revealed some security gaps which must be tackled to prevent future reoccurrence.”
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He then said that a committee has been instituted to investigate the incident adding that the Ministry will work with the outcome of the committee.
The Comptroller General of Nigeria Prison Service, Alhaji Ja’afaru Ahmed doused fears that there were Boko Haram inmates which is the reason why the prison was attacked, ”There is no Boko Haram suspect in Minna Prison facility. We do not know who attacked the prison yet but investigations will reveal it. ”
The Comptroller General was however not forthcoming on how the gunmen gained access into the prison or the number of the officials on duty or injured officials.
Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello described the incident as unfortunate adding that the state is set to partner with the federal government towards ensuring that there is no future re-occurrence.
He further said that the incident have opened the eyes of the government that there is shortage of manpower in the Minna Prisons.