Imo Prison Attack: Over 1200 Inmates Still At Large — NCoS

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has said that over 1,
200 out of the 1, 844 inmates, who escaped from the Owerri
custodial centre following the April 5 attack on the facility by
gunmen, are still at large.

The Public Relations Officer of the centre, Goodluck Uboegbulam,
told our correspondent in an interview that only about 600 of them
have either voluntarily returned or rearrested by the security
operatives.

He said that since the attack, the centre had intensified
efforts in ensuring that the fleeing inmates were re-arrested and
to prevent future recurrence.

He implored the general public to give useful information that
would aid the centre in re-arresting the fleeing inmates.

Uboegbulam said, “As it stands, over 1, 200 out of the 1844
fleeing inmates from our custody are still at large.

“However, over 600 have either voluntarily returned or
recaptured. But we are hopeful that many more will voluntarily
return because they have been returning almost on daily basis.

“After the attack, we have undertaken several measures, such as
going through different media and exploring possible avenues aimed
at getting results.

“In fact, we have gone as far as writing to the churches,
community and village heads, letting them know the dangers in
allowing the fleeing inmates to hide within our communities.

“And with this, what it has yielded so far is the voluntary
return of some of these fleeing inmates.”

He added, “But one irony is that most of the families and
parents of these fleeing inmates don’t understand the implications
of what we are saying.

“Some of them say ‘Oh! thank God, finally our sons have been set
free’ but the price of that freedom is such that, that individual
can not work anywhere, cannot do any job, can not open a shop
anywhere because he is a fugitive.

“So, that is why we are still using every available medium to
appeal to public-spirited individuals, groups, churches and village
heads to help us out. This is because all these fleeing inmates,
all hail from our communities.

“We or the police cannot do it all alone. We need the support
and cooperation of the people. We are appealing to the public to
avail us of every information that will lead to re-arresting
them.”

He also guaranteed the safety and a conducive environment for
the inmates, saying that the recent signing into law of the
Correctional Act 2019, would help in tackling the issue of
congestion of the prison custody, which, according to him, was
overcrowded prior to the attack.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has said that over 1,
200 out of the 1, 844 inmates, who escaped from the Owerri
custodial centre following the April 5 attack on the facility by
gunmen, are still at large.

The Public Relations Officer of the centre, Goodluck Uboegbulam,
told our correspondent in an interview that only about 600 of them
have either voluntarily returned or rearrested by the security
operatives.

He said that since the attack, the centre had intensified
efforts in ensuring that the fleeing inmates were re-arrested and
to prevent future recurrence.

He implored the general public to give useful information that
would aid the centre in re-arresting the fleeing inmates.

Uboegbulam said, “As it stands, over 1, 200 out of the 1844
fleeing inmates from our custody are still at large.

“However, over 600 have either voluntarily returned or
recaptured. But we are hopeful that many more will voluntarily
return because they have been returning almost on daily basis.

“After the attack, we have undertaken several measures, such as
going through different media and exploring possible avenues aimed
at getting results.

“In fact, we have gone as far as writing to the churches,
community and village heads, letting them know the dangers in
allowing the fleeing inmates to hide within our communities.

“And with this, what it has yielded so far is the voluntary
return of some of these fleeing inmates.”

He added, “But one irony is that most of the families and
parents of these fleeing inmates don’t understand the implications
of what we are saying.

“Some of them say ‘Oh! thank God, finally our sons have been set
free’ but the price of that freedom is such that, that individual
can not work anywhere, cannot do any job, can not open a shop
anywhere because he is a fugitive.

“So, that is why we are still using every available medium to
appeal to public-spirited individuals, groups, churches and village
heads to help us out. This is because all these fleeing inmates,
all hail from our communities.

“We or the police cannot do it all alone. We need the support
and cooperation of the people. We are appealing to the public to
avail us of every information that will lead to re-arresting
them.”

He also guaranteed the safety and a conducive environment for
the inmates, saying that the recent signing into law of the
Correctional Act 2019, would help in tackling the issue of
congestion of the prison custody, which, according to him, was
overcrowded prior to the attack.