The federal government yesterday put the total number of inmates that were illegally released on Monday when hoodlums attacked two correctional facilities in Edo State at 1,993.
The hoodlums, who had taken advantage of the ongoing nationwide #EndSARS campaign against alleged police brutality had breached the security of the correctional facilities in Benin City and Oko, leading to the escape of the inmates.
Giving an update on the attacks, the federal government, in a statement yesterday by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Interior, Mr. Mohammed Manga, said the attackers, armed with weapons, attacked the officers on guard duty and proceeded to release the inmates.
It said the situation has been brought under control while security in and around the custodial centres nationwide has been beefed up.
The statement added that an investigation has commenced to determine the impact of the attack.
“Two Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Custodial Centres in Benin City and Oko in Edo State were attacked yesterday by protesters purportedly under the #ENDSARS aegis, freeing (at the last count) 1,993 inmates in legal custody and looting the centres, including the weapons in their armoury,” it stated.
It added that the integrity of the custodial centres is, therefore, fundamental to justice, stressing that the inmates of the centres are expected to pay their dues to society, undergo reformation and be reintegrated into society as changed-for-better persons.
The federal government stated that when this process is disrupted in any way, the integrity of justice and societal renewal is subverted, with dire and unimaginable consequences.
