The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has disclosed that security agencies at the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, are only trained to prevent and foil internal disturbance and riots, not external attacks/invasion.
The Minister stated this in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Sola Fasure, while reacting to the last Tuesday’s terrorist attack on Kuje correctional center.
According to him, the new threat became obvious after last year’s attack on a similar correctional facility in Abolongo in Oyo State.
He said: “After the Abolongo, Oyo State, attack on a correctional facility, in October last year, it became apparent that a new form of attack for which our system was not prepared for had emerged.
“Our system was primed to prevent and foil internal disturbance and riots, not external attacks/invasion, since the facilities were usually built around police and military formations.”
The minister ordered the NCoS to work with other security agencies to fortify all correctional facilities in the country to forestall a repeat of attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Mr Aregbesola also directed that all personnel be vigilant and alert, to avoid recurrence and also directed that full investigation into the incident be carried out as soon as possible.
He warned that appropriate actions would be taken should any complicity be established and pledged to continue to strengthen all correctional facilities to keep all Nigerians safe at all times.
“We are working with the Ministry of Defence and the office of the National Security Adviser and other intelligence and security agencies to ensure the attackers and the escaped inmates are captured and returned to custody.
“As we speak, security personnel are combing the whole area, up to a distance of 100km radius, looking for them. All checkpoints nationwide have been put on alert.
“However, more than 400 of them have been brought in and more are still coming,’’ he said.
Mr Aregbesola appealed to all residents to be calm but vigilant, adding that security was a collective work between government and the citizens.
“Kindly therefore, report all suspicious individuals and activities to the nearest security agency around you.
“We appeal also to doctors and medical workers to treat and then immediately report anyone with gunshot wounds to the law enforcement agency,” the minister added.
