No inmate escaped from Ikoyi correctional centre, says prisons spokesman

October 22, 2020 8:54 pm

Rotimi Oladokun, spokesperson of the Lagos command of the Nigerian Correctional Centre (NCS), says no inmate escaped from custody following the attempted jailbreak that occurred earlier on Thursday.

A part of the facility had gone up in flames, while inmates attempted to flee from custody.

Some files were destroyed in the process as the inmates were seen running about within the premises.

However, security operatives deployed to the centre restored order, while fire fighters worked to put out the inferno.

Oladokun, in an interview with NAN on Thursday, confirmed that no inmate escaped as security operatives were on ground to manage the situation.

In a statement issued later on Thursday, he said the inmates set a part of the centre ablaze in the attempt to escape, but their efforts were not successful.

“The personnel of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) foisted an attempted jail break by some inmates of Ikoyi Custodial Centre, Lagos,” the statement read.

“The inmates sought to take advantage of the current #EndSARS protest and enforced curfew in the state to stage a jailbreak; however, the inmates met stiff resistance by the personal at the Centre.

“Unfortunately, the inmates in their attempted jailbreak set a section of the Custodial Centre ablaze.

“There was no breach of the Custodial Centre security perimeter as the combined deployment of military and other security agency ensured the safety of the inmates and the Custodial Centre. Further investigations and mop up operations are currently ongoing.”

The incident comes amid widespread violence following the #EndSARS protests across the country.

Prisons and police stations across the country have been vandalised, leading to inmates escaping from custody.

In Edo, where two prisons were attacked on Monday, the NCS said 1,993 inmates escaped from the centres.

Hoodlums were also said to have pulled down the fence of a prison in Okitipupa area of Ondo state, on Thursday, setting many of the prisoners free.