Gov. Makinde orders installation of CCTV cameras at all correctional facilities in Oyo
Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde has ordered the installation of CCTV cameras at all correctional facilities on the state following last Saturday’s attack at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, in Abolongo.
Gov. Makinde said the move has become necessary to forestall future attacks, adding that the installed cameras will also be linked with the security situation room in the state.
The governor who said this, Sunday, visited the Abolongo Correctional Center at Oyo town, added that that government will take immediate steps to protect the facility, as he also ordered that the main road leading to the facility be immediately graded.
It would be recalled that gunmen attacked the Oyo Medium Security Custodial Centre, in Oyo State, late Friday night, freeing over 800 inmates. And while over 200 have been recaptured by the prison authorities, over 500 are still at large.
In an official statement later issued over the attack, the PRO of the centre, CSC Anjorin Olanrewaju, Saturday evening, on behalf of the Controller of Corrections, Oyo State Command, confirmed that 837 inmates were freed by the attackers.
“The Oyo Medium Security Custodial Centre, in Oyo State, was attacked by yet to be identified gunmen at about 2130hrs on Friday 22nd October, 2021.
“The invaders were said to have arrived the Centre heavily armed with sophisticated weapons and after a fierce encounter with officers on guard, gained entrance into the yard using dynamite to blast the wall.
While all the awaiting trial detainees were forced out of custody, the cells housing the convicts and the female inmates were not vandalised.
“Meanwhile, a total of 262 of the escapees have been recaptured leaving 575 still at large. Following the directives of the Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa mni, the State Controller, Noel Ailewon has commenced the process of search and recapture after visiting the scene of the incident.
“He assured that no effort will be spared to recapture the fleeing inmates even as he solicit for credible intelligence to aid Security agencies in tracking down the fugitives,” the statement read.
Also reacting, Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in a statement released by his media aide, Sola Fasure, confirmed that attack on the Abolongo Custodial Centre, in Oyo, Oyo State.
According to the statement, armed squad unit members of the Nigerian Correctional Service and other security agencies on guard at the facility engaged the attackers in a gun duel that lasted for 20 minutes before they were overpowered.
The attackers subsequently used grenades and other explosives to gain access into the awaiting trial section of the facility and set free many of the awaiting trial inmates. Other sections of the facilities were left untouched.
The minister disclosed that the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service has been on the situation immediately the incident occurred, even as the minister is said to be ‘monitoring the situation.’
“He has assured members of the public to go about their normal businesses as the situation is under control. He also requires members of the public to report any suspicious movement or any sign of the escaped inmates and the gunmen, in and around the vicinity, to the nearest security post around them.
“Security agencies are on the trail of the escaped inmates, while a joint security services manhunt has been launched immediately for the apprehension of the assailants.
“This has led to the capture of some of the inmates while others returned voluntarily. However, those who are on the run are advised to turn themselves in, as escape from lawful custody is a serious offense. The full weight of the law will be brought on them when arrested!,” the statement by Fasure read.
Speaking while on an inspection to the prison facility, Governor Makinde, via a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, promised to install security cameras in the facility and link same with the security situation room in the state.
“This is shocking and, unfortunately, we lost a soldier and an Amotekun Operative. Another person is on danger list at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, as we speak.
“In the main, investigation is still on-going and we cannot say precisely whether this is an isolated event or the beginning of a wider issue that we have to deal with. But whatever the case is, we have made an assessment and taken some immediate decisions.
“We have asked that the main road to this facility be graded immediately. “We will position security cameras here and link it back to our security situation room. It is not just only for this facility but for other correctional facilities in the state.
“We are also making a list of critical state assets that we need to monitor and I have also asked that the entrance and exit points into the state be monitored. We still have almost 300 criminals that are on the loose in the state. So, efforts will still continue to try and apprehend the criminals and bring them back here.
“About the high-profile suspects here, people are very quick to start talking about conspiracy theories. What I can say is that investigation is still on. Yes, there were high profile criminals that were held in this facility.
“Again, I will appeal that our people should be calm. We have challenges around the country – banditry, insurgency and terrorism. And we can only deal with those issues when we have the people in alignment with what the leadership is trying to do.
“So, they should please believe that their leaders will tell them the exact situation of things at the appropriate time,” the statement read.
The Oyo Custodial Centre was established in 2007 with a capacity of 160 inmates but at the time of attack, had a total population of 907. Of this number, awaiting trial persons were 837 representing 92% with just 64 convicts.