Malam Muhammad Bello, Minister of the FCT, tasked traditional rulers in Kuje Area Council on Wednesday in Abuja to work with relevant security operatives to apprehend all escapees from the Kuje Prison.
Bello issued the order during an on-the-spot assessment of damage caused by a terrorist attack at the Kuje Medium Correctional Facility, which resulted in the escape of many inmates.
He also urged the Gomo of Kuje, Haruna Jibrin, to convene all traditional chiefs in the council to work together with intelligence and security agencies to locate and apprehend the escaped inmates.
Similarly, the minister urged community members to provide appropriate intelligence to security agencies so that they can do their jobs.
He expressed confidence that, with full community cooperation, all those who escaped would be tracked down, found, and returned.
According to Bello, no one can go into a community and blend in without being noticed by residents.
The minister, who described the incident as “very sad and unfortunate,” added that such incidents posed a threat to everyone, emphasising the importance of everyone helping security agencies carry out their missions.
He stated that efforts were being made to strengthen security not only around the facility but also throughout the Kuje Area Council and the rest of the territory.
Bello offered condolences to the Gomo of Kuje and expressed sympathy to the family of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps officer who died in the incident, describing him as a “very fine and gallant officer.”
