The Nigerian Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola says the nation’s internal security is being challenged by insecurities.
He was speaking at the Investigative Hearing For The Armed Forces, Ministers Of Defence, Police Affairs, Interior And Service Chiefs, in Abuja.
The Minister said that on the day of the attack on the Kuje Correctional Facility, sixty-five armed security personnel were on duty.
“However, in spite of everything, our arrangement for protection of Life failed and the facility was bridged,“ Mr. Aregbesola said.
The Minister added that a lot of the escapees have been recaptured and some have voluntarily returned.
The Chairman, House Committee On National Security And Intelligence and Lead Chairman, House Joint Committee On Need To Investigate The Terrorists Attack On Nigerian Correctional Centre, Kuje, Sha’aban Sharada, said that of grave concern is that the attack which lasted for several hours did not record any formidable resistance from the security personnel deployed to the facility neither was there adequate response from the security agencies in the Federal Capital Territory despite the proximity of the Nigerian Airforce station at the International Airport with the scene of incidence.
Speaking at the Investigative Hearing For The Armed Forces, Ministers Of Defence, Police Affairs, Interior And Service Chiefs, Sharada said that the situation was therefore very disturbing, embarrassing and also raises serious concerns about the efficiency and effectiveness of the entire national security architecture especially given the location of their headquarters in the FCT.
“The Joint Committee is also mandated to identify the extent to which appropriate authorities within the National security sector have played their roles in responding to this incident as well as to establish the extent of damage to the facility including the exact number of escapees and casualties recorded.
It is also important to state that the Resolution, with which this Joint Committee is mandated to carry out its assigned responsibility is passed pursuant to its constitutional obligation as enshrined in Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Altered). Against this background and consistent with its mandate, the Joint Committee swung into action with a visit to the Kuje Correctional facility for an on-the-spot assessment. During the Visit, the Committee observed the devastating destruction of properties as well as all the key and vulnerable points situated in the Facility. Additionally, officials of the Correctional Centre gave the Team a first-hand brief of the events that took place before, during and after the attack. Additionally, investigative hearings have also commenced in earnest with the appearance of the nation’s Intelligence agencies and other paramilitary agencies on Tuesday, 23rd August 2022,“ Sharada said.
He noted that the joint committee will not spare anything in order to trace the circumstances that led to the ugly incident while deliberate efforts would also be made to ascertain the current security situation within and around the facility and measures put in place to safeguard the reoccurrence around the facility and other similar facilities around the country.
“We would also ensure the monitoring of measures put in place to protect lives and property of residents in the FCT and those of all Nigerians. I would like to reassure you all that this Joint Committee would be thorough, firm and objective in carrying out its assigned responsibility.“ He added.
The Joint Committee on National Security and Intelligence and security-related committees were set up by the House of Representatives to investigate the causes and effects of the unfortunate attack on the Kuje Custodial Centre by terrorists on the 5th of July 2022, where a total of about 888 inmates including about 64 terror suspects escaped.
Some members of the committee however frowned at the absence of security chiefs at the hearing.
PIAK
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