Suspected armed robbers escape from Katsina State Correctional facility

Two suspected armed robbers have allegedly escaped from a correctional facility in Katsina State a development said to be causing apprehension among residents of Katsina town, while it was yet to be established when the suspects escaped.

Penpushing reports that as at the time of filing this report officials of the correctional centre declined to give details of the incident, but source from the police who prefer anonymity said the Katsina State Police Command was informed of the escape of the inmates on 16 October, 2023

The source however, identified one of the suspects as Ibrahim Lawal, popularly called Abba Kala, said to be an alleged notorious car thief, who had been arrested at least twice for sundry offences including armed robbery.

Penpushing further reports that as at the time of filing this report the identity of the second suspect was not given, but the Comptroller of the Nigerian Correctional Service in the state Muhammad Haruna confirming the incident said one of the suspects has been re-arrested.

The Comptroller of the Nigerian Correctional Service said cases of a suspect escaping from security agents are not peculiar to the Correctional Service, explaining that the service in Katsina State has begun an investigation to find out how the inmates successfully escaped from the facility.

‘As you know, a suspect escaping from security agents is nothing new. We’ll not hide the truth from anyone. Yes, it happened here. Two suspects awaiting trial were able to escape from the facility.’, he stated

‘Fortunately for us and through our collective efforts alongside sister security agencies and officials of motor parks in the state, we were able to re-arrest one of the escaped inmates. The other person too will soon be arrested. I’ll not give you details of the one arrested or even the operation but we’re making progress’, Haruna added.

Penpushing also reports that the correctional facility boss, however, gave assurance that the Correctional Service will provide further details to the journalists and the public when the remaining inmate is arrested.

The members of civil society organisations and residents of the state, despite the assurance by the correctional facility authorities have expressed concerns over the incident, stressing that it came to them as surprise

Penpushing reports that Kastina State Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations Abdurrahman Abdullahi pointed out that a suspect like Abba Kala should have been given top priority security at the prison

‘It came to us as a surprise because it shows there are problems in how the correctional service conducts activities in the state. A suspect like Abba Kala should be given top priority security at the prison. He is a threat. The officials should have been more proactive in discharging their duties’, Abdullahi said.

Penpushing further reports that Abdullahi said the coalition was once informed of how the top suspect, Lawal, used a phone while at the facility to coordinate the stealing of a vehicle in the metropolis, and in his own reaction a public affairs analyst, Saifullahi Kuraye, said the service needs to provide answers to what led to the inmates’ escape.

‘I want to commend the prison (correctional service) for speaking to you (journalists) about the issue. Sadly, that can’t absolve them of any wrongdoing unless they are proven innocent and that can only be done by the appropriate authorities. So, there is a need for a thorough investigation’, he stated.

‘I’m more concerned about how this thing happened. The place is supposed to be one of the most secure buildings in the state with a tall fence and enough security. So, how exactly did the suspects beat such arrangements to escape? There is more to this and the service needs to give us reasonable explanations because people are already afraid’, Kuraye added.

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