ISWAP claims responsibility for Kuje Prison attack
Tuesday’s attack on the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja was carried out by the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), the group said.
In a video posted by the Islamic State A’maq agency, bullets can be heard in the background as what looks to be a view of the Kuje prison is shown.
In the meantime, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) reported that during the attack by the unidentified gunmen, 879 prisoners managed to escape and four died. The facility’s main door and fence were both breached by the terrorists using explosive devices, according to NCoS spokesman Abubakar Umar.
Umar also reported the death of a member of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) stationed at the Custodial Center and the critical injuries of three members of the NCoS. Umar, who noted that some of the escaped prisoners have been recaptured, said that 551 inmates are currently in custody. To recapture the remaining escapees, Umar said the service would deploy its Corrections Information Management System (CIMS) and work with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to track all fleeing inmates.
Security Warning For U.S Citizens
Moreover, Umar assured the public that DCP Abba Kyari and other VIPs detained in the facility did not escape, and are in good health. Meanwhile, the United States and the United Kingdom have issued a security warning to their citizens in Nigeria after the Kuje prison attack. Noting that an increase in crime is expected in and around Abuja, the United States Embassy warned its citizens in Nigeria to avoid unnecessary traveling on the Abuja airport road. Also, United Kingdom citizens were warned to be cautious of traveling to 19 states in Nigeria.
