The Ministry of Interior, on Tuesday, announced that security agencies were on the trail of convicts set free by protesters from two custodial centres in Edo State.
Alerting the public that they include condemned criminals that could harm innocent citizens, it called on the general public to report suspected inmates to the security agencies.
A statement signed by the Director of Press & Public Relations, Mohammed Manga, gave the account of the attack on the custodial centres in Benin City and Oko in Edo State by protesters purportedly under the #ENDSARS movement.
It confirmed that no fewer than 1,993 inmates in legal custody were freed and weapons looted from the armoury.
His account reads: “They came in large number, bearing dangerous weapons and attacked the officers on guard duty. They were unmistakable on their mission, which was to force the cells open, free the inmates and carry out other nefarious activities.”
Noting that the situation is under under control as security in and around the custodial centres nationwide has been beefed up, he said Investigation has commenced to determine the full impact of the attack.
The ministry frowned at the hijack of what was supposed to be
peaceful protest by criminals advising the organisers to screen their followers.
“Attacking a custodial centre is a criminal act which detracts from the advertised objectives of the movement and capable of imputing impure motives to its drivers.
“It must be reiterated that the custodial centres are high security zones. The primary duty of the institution is to keep custody of convicted criminals and awaiting trial suspects; this comes before their reformation. It is integral to the justice administration system.
“The integrity of the custodial centres is therefore fundamental to justice. Inmates of the centres are expected to pay their dues to society, undergo reformation and be reintegrated into society as changed-for-better persons. When this process is disrupted in any way, the integrity of justice and societal renewal is subverted, with dire and unimaginable consequences.”
“Most of the inmates held at the centres are convicted criminals serving terms for various criminal offences, Assuring the public that the government will not shirk its duty to protect lives and.property, it said “Government’s primary duty is to protect lives and property and keep the people safe. We shall not be shirking in our responsibility and we shall not disappoint the people.
“We urge the #ENDSARS protesters to remain peaceful, embrace dialogue, screen their rank and file and flush out those with criminal intents and, more importantly, steer clear of the custodial centres.
“This is to assure Nigerians, especially Edo State residents, that in conjunction with other security agencies, we have commenced the tracking and apprehension of all the escaped inmates before they do any harm”.
