Oyo prison attack: Gunmen freed 837 inmates, 262 so far recaptured, 575 still at large – Official

Many inmates of the Oyo Medium Security Custodial Centre, in Abolongo, Oyo, were, late Friday, freed after gunmen attacked the facility with explosives.

The gunmen launched their assault on the facility at around 10.30pm on Friday and set the inmates free.

Confirming the attack, the Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Correctional Service, Oyo State Command, Saturday morning, in Ibadan, the state capital, said the attackers were heavily armed and engaged the guards in a fierce gun battle before freeing some inmates.

“Yes, I can confirm to you that the place was attacked and some of the awaiting inmates were set free.

“I am there right now with the Controller and some other senior officers doing an assessment of the damage done to the facility.

“Now, we cannot ascertain the numbers of the inmates freed or people that get injured, but definitely, I will be giving you an update later,” Anjorin said.

It would also be recalled that the attack on the Oyo facility follows an earlier one in Kogi when gunmen reportedly freed over 250 inmates in the aftermath of the midnight raid.

The Oyo attack left the facility in disarray with warders scampering for safety.

Other security agencies have since mobilized their personnel to support men and women of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) in tracking down the gunmen and re-arresting prisoners.

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.

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.

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.