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Two shot dead in Rivers prison revolt

10/29/2012

Two inmates of the Federal Prisons in Ahoada, headquarters of Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State, have been shot dead by the operatives of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and policemen. They were attempting to escape through the ceiling after a jail break.

 Despite the quick intervention of the security agencies, four of the prisoners escaped. Nine of the inmates who were wounded are undergoing treatment.

 The Ahoada prison, meant for 200 inmates, is holding 502 prisoners, leading to overcrowding. This angered the inmates, who launched the massive protest.

 Prisoners forced open the cells of the Awaiting Trial inmates were forced open. Many of them escaped through the broken wall. This was after some of them returned from fetching water outside the prison.

 The prison serves both Rivers and neighbouring Bayelsa States, where a prison is still under construction.

 It was learnt that the inmates also expressed displeasure that the Chief Judges of Rivers and Bayelsa states had not been visiting Ahoada Prisons for the regular jail delivery activity, which was recently carried out at the Federal Prisons in Port Harcourt.

 The Deputy Comptroller of Prisons in Ahoada, Mr. Aderibigbe Lawal failed to respond to text messages. He also did not pick his calls.

 Minister of Interior Abba Moro yesterday condemned the jail break.

 In a statement in Abuja by his Special Assistant, Mr. George Udoh, Moro noted that six prisoners who were critically injured while being prevented by the security officers in the process of escaping from the prison were taken to the hospital and they are now back in the prison but: “only four prisoners escaped during the attack”.

 The prisoners broke the office of the chief warder and carted away vital documents. They also burnt other documents.

 They vandalised the prison’s clinic and pulled down its walls.

 The Minister said measures had been taken to strengthen the security in and around the prison and to arrest the four fleeing prisoners.

 “The Nigerian Prison Service (NPS) is seriously on top of the situation as the agency is working hard to restore peace to the area.

 “We want to appeal to the general public to cooperate with the government in its bid to transform our prison service. The public should also not hesitate to make available vital information to the security agencies to get rid of crime in our society,” he said.

 A source, who was at the prison yesterday, but would not want his name mentioned, said the inmates were angry with the Federal Government over the overcrowding of the facility.

 The source said: “The inmates of Ahoada Prisons are always sent outside the prisons to fetch water and look for firewood for cooking in the prisons, as well as engaging in other menial works outside the prisons.

 “On Saturday evening, some of the inmates were sent outside the prisons to fetch water. When they returned with the water, the warders wanted to return them to their cells, but they refused. One of the inmates picked a cooking pot and used it to hit one of the warders.

 “The protesting inmates then proceeded to the locked ATM cells and forced the locks open with iron rods, with the inmates joining others in the violent protest. At that point, the operatives of the JTF and policemen arrived at the prisons, but some of the inmates had already escaped through the broken wall, which is just being fixed.

 “I can confirm to you that four of the inmates escaped and nine of them are wounded, but being treated. Before the protest, the inmates had complained of overcrowding at the facility meant for 200 persons, but now having 502 inmates.”

 Rivers police spokesman Ben Ugwuegbulam confirmed the jailbreak and killing of the two inmates.

 Ugwuegbulam said: “Around 1700hrs (5 pm) on Saturday, inmates of the Federal Prisons, Ahoada attempted breaking out unlawfully from custody. Ahoada police area command swiftly mobilised to the scene and together with other security agencies, cordoned off the entire perimeter of the prisons.

 “Consequently, the escaping inmates retreated to the confines of the prisons. Two of the inmates that tried escaping through the ceiling were shot at, to prevent their escape and were fatally-wounded (killed) in the process. The situation has been brought under control.”

 The Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government, Chief Cassidy Ikegbidi, who condemned the jailbreak, lauded the security agencies for their quick intervention.

 Ikegbidi, who spoke through his Press Secretary, Mr. Blessed Oyagiri, said: “It is wrong for the inmates to take the law into their own hands. The people of the local government area should go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation, as security of lives and property is guaranteed

 “I commend the security agencies in the area for their quick intervention. I wish to condemn the act exhibited by the inmates.”

 It will be recalled that the devastating floods affected Ahoada East local government area, where eight of the victims died, according to the Chairman of the Rivers State Flood Relief Committee, Deputy Governor Tele Ikuru.

Culled from the Nation

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