Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has confirmed the attack on the Kabba Correctional facility in Kogi State.
The Minister also disclosed that security operatives have been deployed to Kogi to recover all the inmates who escaped during the attack.
Aregbesola made this known in a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Sola Fasure.
He confirmed that he was briefed on the attack by the Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Haliru Nababa.
According to the Minister, the gunmen used explosives to destroy three sides of the perimeter fence, before gaining entrance into the facility.
The Minister also disclosed that INTERPOL has been contacted on the incident, in case any of the inmates attempts to escape the country.
The statement reads, “A Crisis Response Centre has been activated and a Special Taskforce mobilized to recapture escaped inmates whilst an Inter-Agency Security Task Force is already on the trail of the gunmen who attacked the facility.
“The public is advised to stay calm as the situation is under control. We shall leave no stone unturned to bring them back to custody,” the statement quoted Arebgesola as saying.
“We are also putting INTERPOL on notice with their details, in case any of them attempts fleeing outside our shores.
“We urge the people, especially the communities around the custodial facility, to be vigilant and report any strange and suspicious persons or activities to the nearest law enforcement agency.”
