Admin l Friday, October 7, 2022
IKOYI, Lagos, Nigeria – The Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, Lagos State has said that only 20 inmates died during the jail break at Ikoyi, contrary to reports in the media.
An eye witness had told a Lagos court that 150 inmates died during the #EndSARS attack.
In a statement, Public Relations Officer, NCoS, CSC OO Oladokun said it is laughable that for any medium to report that 150 inmates died during the jailbreak as a result of the #EndSARS protest in October.
“The ludicrous nature of this publication does not merit a response; however the Command is constraint to set the records straight. On 22nd October 2020, the Ikoyi Custodial Centre came under attack, during the #ENDSARS protest that rocked the country. The invaders who came in large number, engaged the security guards in heavy exchange of fire, encouraging harden inmates to set the facility on fire in an attempt to cause mass escape”, he said.
According to him, what would have resulted in an unprecedented security breach in Lagos State was professionally rebuffed.
“Sadly, 20 inmates lost their lives while desperately trying to escape and 8 Correctional Officers sustained various degrees of injuries with some, life-threatening. In line with Correctional Service protocols, the respective stakeholders and next-of-kins of the deceased have been dully notified”, he said.
According to him, NCoS is statutorily responsible to take into safe custody all persons legally interned by courts of competent jurisdiction and ensure their safe, secure and humane containment.
“This is an irrevocable commitment the leadership of the Command has vowed to uphold in the interest of peace and socioeconomic growth and stability of Lagos State.
“While appreciating the support of sister security agencies that were on ground to foil the jailbreak, the Command remains focused on meeting the reformation and rehabilitation needs of the inmates for a better society”, he said, and urged publishers and members of the press to confirm and verify facts and figured before publishing any story to avoid the spread of fake information to the public.
