How Gunmen invaded Kogi prison, free 145 inmates

Gunmen suspected to be terrorists on Sunday night invaded the Federal Prison, Kotonkarfe in Kogi State and set free all the 145 inmates.

One of the inmates, however, lost his life during the stampede that ensued during the terrorists’ invasion while 12 of the inmates, who fled later returned to the prison yard yesterday morning.

Speaking when the Governor of the state, Captian Idris Wada, visited the prison, Comptroller General of Prisons, Alhaji Aminu Suley, said the attackers were external forces suspected to be terrorists

He said they came at about 8.30 pm on Sunday and operated for more than two hours.

According to Suley, 26 of the prisoners had been convicted for various offences, while 119 were awaiting trial for offences such as robbery, culpable homicide and other heinous crimes.

He pleaded with the governor to prevail on the judiciary to wake up to their duties by giving accelerated hearing to the cases of inmates currently in prison. He said some of the inmates had no business being in the prison.

The governor, who was visibly annoyed on the deplorable condition in the prison, however, promised to provide some beddings to the prison, saying it was inhuman for over 145 inmates to sleep on bare floor.