Rampage At KiriKiri Prison, Inmates Escape!!!!!

There was  a rampage at the Kirikiri Meduim Security Lagos  yesterday as some inmates who started a riot  allegedly escaped before they could be contained. As at the time Saturday Sun correspondents  visited the area, heavily armed security officers comprising of  Prison guards, Army, Navy and Police personnel were seen guarding the area and restricting movement of people in and outside the barracks were Kirikiri Maximum Prison is located. The fierce looking military men cordoned off all the entry  and exit routes leading  to the prison.

Civilians and vehicles were not allowed access into the premises except those who have proof that they are  resident in the barracks. Meanwhile every other vehicle that were exiting the barracks where thoroughly searched. Shop owners and passerby who were forced to seek for alternative routes told Saturday Sun that they learnt that there was a  jail break.

“ This is not the route that the inmates  take when they are escaping because of the  heavy security presence around the area leading to the prison.You also have a police station facing the prison directly,and this is why you hardly see them passing through the main gates. Escapee inmates go through the bush behind the prison, I guess that is where the search team  should concentrate their efforts..

Another eyewitness who said that they were alarmed when they noticed the high influx of security personnel in the area said: “ Today is a bad day because I know that  for  few days coming, there will be heavy security presence in this area.Innocent passerby will be harassed by some overzealous security offficers.”

On what led to the jail break, Saturday Sun gathered that the inmates were fed up with what they described as highhandedness on the part of the new Deputy Controller at the Maximum Security Prison, DCP Kayode Odeyemi. They  alleged that he stripped the inmates of all the privileges given to them by former controllers.

An inmate who spoke to Saturday Sun explained that before Odeyemi’s arrival, inmates were allowed to use their own generator sets, cook their food , make use of mobile phones and other privileges to make their stay in the prison comfortable  but all these were withdrawn when Odeyemi resumed.

“ Some of us that still have our phones had to hid it. I would have joined them to escape if I was sentenced to life imprisonment or have much years to stay here. I have only two months and it would be foolish if I attempt to run away. I can confirm to you that some of the inmates escaped and are yet to be returned.”

When  reminded that most of the so called privileges are illegal, the inmate said: “ Ever since I was detained we hardly have light and the prison authority is not ready to find  solution to it . The food that they give us over here is very bad and not fit for human consumption.This is why we have to provide some of these amenities denied us  by ourselves. Without acess to some of these things you referred to as priviledges ,many of us would have died long time ago.. Life is hell here without those privileges.”

Another inmate who is awaiting trial and refused to disclose his present location also confirmed that some of the inmates escaped during the riot. “ If the new controller wants to enforce any law, he should ensure that he provides all the necessary facilities that will make the prison fit for human habitation.We are  not animals. He is giving preference to those inmates who are on his list unlike the former controller who is a little bit liberal,and show  some human consideration in her dealings with us,he said “

Confirming the jail-break, Prison’s National Public Relation Officer, Ope Fatinikun said that there was a riot at the Kirikiri Maximum prison, but  however added that situation had been brought under control. He explained that the cause of the riot was  as a result of inmates  protest against delay by  prison authorities to replace their ceiling fans.

“ All the inmates are intact and prisons authority is currently working on resolving the issue that led to the riot. Meanwhile further investigation  into the riot  is on-going, to know what could have led to the riot.”

SOURCE: www.sunnewsonline.com