Despite an earlier warning from the nation’s intelligence service, a late-night raid on the Kuje prison in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory appeared to be carried out to release prisoners of crime.
According to a jail source, the State Security Service had sent a warning about an upcoming attack on Kuje prison “early today (Tuesday)”. The insider, however, was unable to specify the scope of the defenses put in place to thwart the attempt.
The assailants utilized three bombs, according to the source’s later update, and took over four entry and exit points by force.
The prison is located in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 24 kilometers from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and 47 kilometers from the heart of Abuja.
The prison contains prominent public officials who are either on trial for a crime or have already been found guilty, along with dangerous criminals like Boko Haram militants who have been caught.
Despite having a capacity of roughly 550, Kuje is currently housing about 1000 prisoners, according to a prison source. We know that the SSS, police, and army were requested by the custodial service, and they provided reinforcements.
The army specifically sent out members of the 176 Special Forces Guards Brigade Battalion, Gwagwalada. The attack’s effects are not yet clear, but authorities believe it was carried out with the intention of releasing dangerous convicts.
Inmates were forcibly released in large numbers across Nigeria’s Oyo, Plateau, Imo, and Edo States as a result of recent prison raids.
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