Malam Muhammad Bello, FCT Minister, tasked traditional rulers in Kuje Area Council on Wednesday in Abuja to work with relevant security operatives to apprehend all escapees from the Kuje Prison.
Bello issued the directive during an on-the-spot assessment of damage following the attack at the Kuje Medium Correctional Facility by suspected terrorists, which resulted in the escape of many inmates.
He also urged the Gomo of Kuje, Haruna Jibrin, to summon all traditional chiefs in the council to work with intelligence and security agencies to find the escaped inmates.
Similarly, the minister urged community members to provide appropriate intelligence to security agencies in order for them to do their jobs.
He expressed confidence that, with maximum community cooperation, all those who escaped would be tracked down, found, and returned.
According to Bello, no one can go into any community and blend in without being noticed by members of the community.
The minister, who described the incident as “very sad and unfortunate,” added that such incidents threatened everyone, emphasising the importance of everyone assisting security agencies in carrying out their duties.
He stated that efforts were being made to strengthen security not only around the facility but also in the Kuje Area Council and other parts of the territory.
Bello expressed condolences to the Gomo of Kuje and sympathy to the family of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps officer who died in the incident, describing him as “a very fine and gallant officer.”
