Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has disclosed that there is no functional Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in Kuje Medium Custodian Centre in Abuja, adding that insiders may be involved in the attack.
Lawan expressed displeasure on the non-functional Close Circuit Television (CCTV) at the prison which incapacitated management and security from preventing and responding appropriately to the attack that led to the escape of over 800 inmates.
Senate President wondered how 300 ISWAP operatives accessed the premises of the correctional centre on foot, forced their ways into the various cells, and released over 800 targeted inmates for over an hour without any counter-offensive from security personnel on the ground.
Lawan said,”This is unacceptable and will not be condoned. For CCTV and other relevant tracking gadgets not to be functional , it is highly disturbing and dangerous for the security of inmates and residents of the Federal Capital Territory
“The way the operation was even carried out based on inspection made by us, strongly indicates insiders’ connivance which must be critically looked into .”
Responding to questions, Comptroller – General of Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) , Haliru Nababa , said 51 security officers were on ground as at the time of the attack.
“Our men and other security operatives like the Army and Police, gave the attackers the required counter offensive which made them to suffer casualty of about four terrorists,” he said.
Irked by his submission, the President of the Senate said killing four out of 300 is nothing to write home about.
” I’m personally disturbed by this your submission. Killing just four terrorists out of 300 is nothing to me.
“This type of poor response to heinous crime of this nature is not deterring in anyway because they can attack again”, he said.
The Senate President therefore told the NCS CG to ensure proposals such as procurement of CCTV and other tracking gadgets as well as enough security personnel at the centre in 2023 budget .
He said the Senate Committee on Interior and other security related ones will very soon summon the CG and other relevant authorities on its Custodian Centres for post mortem review of the incidences and required way out.
“There should be an end to all these issues of jail break or outright attacks.
“Our failing security system must be reviewed and required technology brought to bear because all maximum and medium correctional centres must have functional CCTV and well secured at all times against any form of attack”, he stressed.
