Jailbreak: Reps ask NCS to reinforce armed squads at prisons

The house of representatives has asked the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) reinforce its armed squads in prisons across the country. 

The house reached the resolution during its plenary session on Thursday, following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Ifeanyi Momah, lawmaker from Anambra state.

There has been an increase in attacks on public infrastructure — including prisons — in some parts of the country.

On April 5, 1,844 prisoners were reportedly freed after gunmen attacked  a correctional centre and the police command headquarters in Imo.

While moving the motion on Thursday, Momah said the recent spate of attacks on correctional facilities in some states has become an “internal security threat in the country”.

The lawmaker noted that the “recent jailbreaks, particularly the Owerri case where 1,844 inmates were released and operational tools completely destroyed, have heightened insecurity in the country”.

Momah said if left unchecked, the “continuous violation of our correctional facilities could lead to further deterioration of current insecurity in the country”.

“This pattern of jailbreak, the audacity and sophistication with which it was carried out portends great danger for the country,” he said.

“The armed squad of the Nigerian Correctional Service, in its
present form and character, is not adequately equipped to deal with these
challenges, hence the need to strengthen the security architecture of the service.

“Occurrence of jailbreaks are mostly consequential effect of poor prison management and government neglect-a situation that best describes the
Nigerian correctional facilities — an indication of failing prison system.”

He added that there should be concern “about the general insecurity in the country and increasing concern for safety of lives and properties aggravated by recent jailbreaks”.

The motion was adopted after it was put to a voice vote by Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house.

The lower legislative chamber also urged the NCS controller-general to “immediately reinforce the armed squad of the service as part of measures to prevent reoccurrence”.