LAGOS AUGUST 29TH (URHOBOTODAY)-Terrified inmates at Kure prison, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory are heard crying for help as prison officials continue shooting and throwing tear gas at the inmates in attempt to calm them down.
Information gathered said there was no attempt of prisoners trying to escape. Reports from the prisons said inmate are currently rowing and crying on the ground saying,
“We do not know what they want to do with us, some people are on the ground now rolling and crying.
“There is no jail break, yet they woke up this morning to started shooting teargas at us.”
Although details were still sketchy as at press time, report has it that security operatives on duty had to embark on a shooting spree to prevent the inmates from escaping.
However, a law firm, claiming to be representing Charles Okah, who is in detention in the prison, alleged the shooting spree was to scare the inmates.
It said the shooting spree was to scare inmates, including Okah, who is known to have medical conditions.
The statement, signed by Timipa Jenkins Okponipere of First Law Solicitors, reads: “We are Solicitors to CHARLES TONBRAH OKAH, in particular, and the entire inmates of Kuje Medium Security Prison in Abuja (whom we shall hereinafter, collectively refer to as “our clients”)
“2. It is our clients’ brief that Kuje Prison is currently under attack from members of the Nigerian Prisons Service Armed Squad who are indiscriminately firing gun-shots and tear gas into the air.
“3. This has created pandemonium and violated the fundamental rights of the inmates, particularly, Mr. Charles Okah who has a known medical history which is incompatible with tear gas, gunshots, etc.
“4. We are, by virtue of this notice to Nigerians and the international community, particularly, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL and GLOBAL WITNESS, making it clear that the Nigerian Prisons Service is already in breach of the fundamental rights of the inmates of Kuje Prison. Our clients therefore reserve the right to sue and seek redress for the breach.”
In the last few months, there had been riots in some Nigerian prisons. The prisons in Kogi and Abia States readily comes to mind.
In Abia State, a number of prisoners were killed and injured in the bid to prevent the prisoners from escaping.
Some staff of the Nigerian Prisons Service have also been sacked as a result of the issues that led to the riots and the handling thereof.