By John Ikani
Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola on Sunday said 446 out of 907 escapees in the Abologo Correctional facility in Oyo State have been recaptured by security agencies.
The minister who made the disclosure while making an inspection visit to the facility, vowed that the Federal Government would re-arrest the fleeing 392 inmates.
“I am assuring Nigerians that the federal government will pursue not just those who attacked our facility, but those who have escaped lawful custody.
“The attack was unconscionable. I commend officers of the Nigeria Correctional Service and other members of sister security agencies who provided perimeter security for our facility for fighting gallantly and holding the fort before the attackers were able to gain access to the awaiting trial section of the facility. However, those who escaped are already being pursued. Some have been re-arrested, many more will still be captured.
“However, those who escaped are already being pursued. Some have been rearrested, many more will still be captured,” the minister stated.
Giving more details about those who escaped, Aregbesola noted that 446 out of 907 escapees have been recaptured, whilst 69 never left the facility.
“As at the last count, 446 of the escapees have been recaptured, leaving 392 still at large. We want to assure Nigerians that the service has an updated database of the escapees which includes their biometrics. We are sharing the database with all security agencies in the country including Interpol, so those who escape our recapture efforts can be nabbed.
“To those on the run, be assured you have nowhere to hide. You can run, but you can’t hide. We’ll fish you out! We are publishing details of those who escaped in the mass media so the public can assist in that effort,” the minister added.
Speaking on the government’s effort to rebuild the damaged part of the facility, the minister noted that he had directed the NCoS to immediately begin remediation work.
“I have instructed the CG of NCoS to immediately begin the reconstruction of the damaged parts of the building. We hope to make the facility better secured and more habitable for the inmates,” he said.
