Prisoners attempt jailbreak in Kaduna over COVID-19 fears

March 31, 2020 7:55 pm

Pic9. Security personnel on guard at the entrance of NigeriaCorrectional Services, Kaduna Correctional Centre because of public disturbanceby inmates, who protested the non- compliance with Social Distancing directiveby the authority of the centre in fear of Corona Virus in Kaduna on Tuesday (31/3/20)01898/31/3/2020/Ibrahim Bashir/ICE/NAN

Some prisoners at the Kaduna correctional centre, Kaduna state, on Tuesday attempted a jailbreak over fears of contracting COVID-19.

Nathaniel Gagas, public relations officer of the Kaduna state command of Nigerian correctional service, confirmed the incident which he said happened around 1pm on Tuesday.

The inmates were said to have panicked and attempted to escape when they heard rumours that an infected person was in the facility.

The attempt was, however, foiled by security operatives as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NCDC) and soldiers blocked all roads leading to the facility located along Independence Way.

The inmates subsequently staged a protest, demanding that they be released from incarceration.

Gagas said no inmate escaped from detention, adding that an investigation into the cause of the jailbreak has begun.

Shehu Sani, former Kaduna central senator, had asked the federal government to consider suspending electricity bill and to decongest prisons over COVID-19 lockdown.