The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) has said that no fewer than 262 out of the inmates that escaped during an attack of its facility in Oyo town in Oyo State have been recaptured.
The NCS added that 575 others were still at large saying, the facility had a total population of 907 of which awaiting trial persons were 837 representing 92% with 64 convicts.
The NCS made this disclosure in a statement issued by Olanrewaju Anjorin, the Public Relations Officer of NCS in the state.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported how suspected gunmen believed to be Fulani bandits attacked the Abolongo Correctional Centre in the town.
The facility, which was established in 2007, has the capacity to accommodate only 160 inmates.
It was gathered that the gunmen, during the attack set all the awaiting trial persons free.
The attackers attacked the facility with grenades to gain access and set the inmates free.
The NCS spokesman, Anjorin, said a total of 262 awaiting trial persons had been recaptured.
He confirmed that all awaiting trial detainees were forced out of custody during the attack.
He however added that the cells housing the convicts and the female inmates were not vandalised.
He said, “The Oyo Medium Security Custodial Centre, in Oyo State, was attacked by yet to be identified gunmen at about 2130hrs on Friday 22nd October, 2021.
“The invaders were said to have arrived the Centre heavily armed with sophisticated weapons and after a fierce encounter with officers on guard, gained entrance into the yard using dynamite to blast the wall.
“While all the awaiting trial detainees were forced out of custody, the cells housing the convicts and the female inmates were not vandalised.
“Meanwhile, a total of 262 of the escapees have been recaptured leaving 575 still at large. Following the directives of the Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa mni, the State Controller, Noel Ailewon has commenced the process of search and recapture after visiting the scene of the incident.
“Oyo Custodial Centre was established in 2007 with a capacity of 160 inmates but at the time of attack, had a total population of 907. Of this number, awaiting trial persons were 837 representing 92% with just 64 convicts.”
