Prison attack: Yahaya Bello reads riot act to assailants

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has reassured of his administration’s commitment to forestall a reoccurrence of crime in whatever form.

He gave the assurance while reacting to the attack on the Medium Federal Correctional Centre in Kabba Local Government Area of the state.

Recall that the attackers, in their numbers, arrived at the custodial centre heavily armed and immediately engaged the guards in a fierce gun duel.

Soldiers were killed in the incident while some prison guards sustained injuries.

Speaking when he visited the prison on Tuesday, the governor assessed the damages.

Bello, who was represented by his Deputy, Chief Edward Onoja, said the long arm of the law will catch up with the attackers.

Whilst conveying the Governor’s condolences to the families and colleagues of servicemen who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident, he commended the quick response of the various security agencies, traditional rulers, local hunters, and community residents leading to the re-arrest and voluntary return of 112 inmates.

On his part, Deputy Comptroller General of the NCS said the Service is short-staffed with inadequate equipment to repel the concurrent attacks on its facilities across the country.

Similarly, Onoja paid separate visits to some of the injured security personnel at an undisclosed hospital, and the Palace of the Obaro of Kabba, HRM, Oba Solomon Oladele Owoniyi, where he regretted the recurring occurrences of prison attacks in the country.

He further called for more reinforcement of the armed Squad of the Service, a beefed up security structure, adequate infrastructure, and increased collaboration between the Federal and State Governments to tackle future threats.

Welcoming him, the Royal Father also faulted the Judiciary for the neglect of inmates, citing that a worrying 87 percent of them were still awaiting trial at the affected facility.