From Bolaji Robert, Lagos
A warder from the Kirikiri correctional centre on Monday shot a hoodlum at Lagos High Court sitting in Tafawa Balewa Square.
Trouble started as the hoodlum was trying to smuggle items to inmates already inside the Black Maria on the way to the Kirikiri correctional centre.
Before he was shot, the hoodlum was seen struggling with the armed prison warder in a bid to take his rifle.
The hoodlum was immediately shot in the leg and other hoodlums in the area attempted to demobilise another Black Maria that had brought inmates from the Ikoyi correctional centre to court.
The incident caused panic as judges ended their proceedings abruptly. Court official and litigants also took to their heels.
According to an eyewitness, the victim was shot while trying to interact with some of the inmates in the Black Maria.
Another eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said that after the victim was shot in the leg, other hoodlums swiftly mobilised and came to barricade the entrance of the court after which they deflated the tyres of the Black Maria.
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) said in a press release that a security breach was averted at the Lagos State High Court TBS by the personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service Armed squad.
The PRO of the command, CSC Rotimi Oladokun, said: “Persons suspected to be associates of an inmate taken to the Lagos High Court for hearing, staged an attack on the escort personnel with an attempt to forcefully release the inmate while at the premises of the court. However, the quick response and vigilance of the NCoS court escorts thwarted their effort.’’
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