By Gabriel Atumeyi
365Daily – The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has said that two security officials are still missing after Kabba Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kogi State was attacked by gunmen.
365Daily had earlier reported that gunmen invaded the Kogi prison, killing several officers and freed over 240 inmates, .
Aregbesola made this known in a statement on Monday by his media aide, Sola Fasure, titled, ‘Security forces on the trail of escaped inmates, as gunmen attack Kabba custodial facility.’
The minister noted that during the attack, security officers on duty tried to repel the attack.
He said, “During the attack, security officers on duty which comprised of 15 Soldiers, 10 Police Officers and 10 armed guards of the NCoS on duty fought gallantly to repel the attack. Regrettably, two officers of the Correctional Service are yet to be accounted for while one soldier and a policeman lost their lives during the attack.
“The Kabba Custodial facility had 294 inmates as of the time of the attack, many of whom escaped after the gunmen used explosives to destroy three sides of the perimeter fence. However, there remaining 28 inmates who didn’t escape. Some have also voluntarily returned to the facility as of this morning.
“To the fleeing inmates, escaping from lawful custody is a serious criminal offence. Law enforcement agencies and citizens are lawfully empowered to use all necessary means to arrest and bring you to justice. You should therefore know what you are up against. You will however be eligible for mitigation if you willfully surrender yourselves at the nearest law enforcement office.
“The Nigeria Correctional Service shall not be cowed by elements seeking to compromise the security of our nation; we shall deal with this situation with absolute resolve.”