President Muhammadu Buhari, apparently shaken by two brazen terrorist attacks on his advance convoy in Dutsinma, Katsina State, summoned an emergency meeting of the National Security Council yesterday.
During the deadly attack on the Presidency’s advance team of security guards, protocol, and media officers, the terrorists freed hardened Boko Haram elements alongside over 600 inmates, while two policemen were injured.
The Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) later claimed responsibility for the Kuje Prison attack.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, the Army Staff, Lt. Gen Farouk Yahaya, the Air Staff, Air Marshall Isiaka Amao, the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, and the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba were all in attendance at yesterday’s Security Council meeting at the State House in Abuja.
Cabinet members present included Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola, Police Affairs Minister Mohammed Dingyadi, Defense Minister retired Major Gen. Bashir Magashi, and Attorney-General/Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami.
According to sources, the meeting focused primarily on the failures of security personnel at the Kuje Correctional Facility and during the presidential convoy attack.
“The meeting discussed how to apprehend the terrorists who had been released, as well as steps to prevent future attacks.” “They also discussed how to disable various terrorist cells in the North,” said another source.
After the meeting, the Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi, told State House correspondents that Buhari gave clear instructions to the service chiefs to ensure that what happened in Kuje did not happen again.
“The service chiefs have been given very clear directives to ensure that adequate measures are taken not only to investigate what happened, but also to take steps to prevent such incidents from recurring,” Dingyadi said.
Terrorists had overpowered security forces guarding the Kuje facility, according to the minister.
According to him, the security personnel stationed at Kuje prison did their best to repel the attack, but were defeated by the terrorists’ superior weaponry.
“You see, these kinds of things happen, and I want to assure you all that those who are supposed to play a role in ensuring that the attack is neutralised did everything they could to neutralise it,” the Minister said.
“I believe the number of people they brought and the superior weapons they brought helped them.
“And because nobody expected it, the few people who showed up couldn’t handle the number.” That’s what I think happened.”
According to Dingyadi, some of the assailants were killed but their bodies were taken away by the terrorists.
When asked why no arrests had been made, the Minister stated, “Some of them have been killed.” But I can’t give you the number because I don’t know what it is. Because, as they used to do, whenever one of them is killed, he is taken away, and you have no idea how many people have been killed. However, a significant number of them were killed, and many of them fled with bullet wounds.”
He assured that the investigation into the incident would continue: “This investigation is still ongoing.” Allowing the investigation to continue will only benefit you, and perhaps by the time they finish, you will be able to learn more about what happened and why it happened.”
When asked why there had been nothing specific to report after days of the attack, Dingyadi explained that the outcome of the investigation would determine the cause, reaction, and how to prevent a recurrence.
“Investigations have already begun,” Dingyadi said. Even when the President visited Kuje, he expressed his surprise at what had occurred. That’s why he called this meeting so quickly.
“Mr. President has been briefed, and he has assured the nation that he is on top of the situation.” Whatever needs to be done will be done and is being done to ensure that those who have not yet returned are brought back to the Correctional Center.
When asked if there was a timetable for the investigation, the Police Minister said, “As soon as possible.” We raised this issue during the meeting, and we know Nigerians are eager to learn what steps will be taken.
“But, you see, some of these things are security concerns.” We don’t need to go into specifics about what we’re going to do. But we will simply assure Nigerians that we are on top of the situation. And we will take the necessary steps.”
“Mr. President had directed that we hold today’s Security Council meeting to review the situation of security in the country, particularly as it relates to insecurity issues that have occurred in the last few weeks,” he said.
“We’re talking about the Kuje jail break, which occurred as a result of terrorist attacks on the Correctional Centre, as well as the banditry attack in Katsina around the same time, as well as the various attacks in Shiroro Local Government in Niger State.”
“Mr. President was deeply concerned about these developments.” And he convened this meeting to allow security agencies, service chiefs, and the Inspector General of Police to brief the council on what happened and the next steps.
“We had a very successful meeting, and the council has agreed to take proactive measures to ensure that what happened these few days does not happen again.”
The NCoS has declared that fleeing inmates are wanted.
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) declared the inmates who escaped from Kuje prison in Abuja wanted yesterday.
The NCoS stated in a publication containing the wanted members of the terror group Boko Haram, “the following are faces and names of inmates with Boko Haram/terrorism cases who escaped from Kuje Correctional Centre during the jail attack on 5th July, 2022.”
The service released 69 names and images of those facing terrorism charges.
In the publication, the NCoS asked anyone with useful information that could lead to their capture to call 07000099999, 09060004598, or 08075050006 or any Law Enforcement Agency nearest to you.
The NCoS assured that such information would be treated as anonymously as possible.
