Reps Ask NCS To Account For Kuje Prison Escapees

By Oduyemi Odumade

The House of Representatives has asked the Nigeria Correctional Service to Account for Inmates Escapees of Kuje Custodial Facility.

The resolutions of the House were sequel to a motion brought by Emmanuel Ukpong–Udo, member representing Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State.

The House noted that on July 5, 2022, a jailbreak in Abuja’s Kuje Medium Custodial Facility resulted in 879 inmates, including 64 Boko Haram terrorists, fleeing, with 422 remaining unrecovered or recaptured by security agencies.

The House also noted that the Nigeria Correctional Service requires a comprehensive report on inmate incidents and methods to trace inmates and perpetrators, utilizing its database.

The House said it was concerned that the presence of law-abiding citizens among 350 escapees with diverse offences poses
a security risk as daily crimes are recorded without any trace of perpetrators.

This is disturbing that after a year, the escapees are thriving in different communities, blending in and potentially continuing their criminal activities unnoticed, necessitating the urgent need to have reasonable measures in place to track and apprehend these individuals.

Adopting the motion, the House mandated the Committees on Reformatory Institutions, Interior, and Police Affairs to synergize with heads of the relevant security agencies for a holistic report on the status of the escaped inmates.

The Committees are to report back within six (6) weeks for further legislative action.

Edited By Grace Namiji