A source has accused the Federal Government of allegedly hiding basic facts of the attack by heavily armed gunmen at the Kuje Medium Custodial Centre in Abuja.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said categorically that the Federal Government lied when it said that only 600 inmates escaped after the attack.
He alleged that it is 1365 prisoners that escaped instead of the reported 600, adding that some 150 Boko Haram terrorists were released during the attack.
He scribbled: “300 terrorists attacked Kuje Prison with RPGs, GPMGs.
“The released 1365 prisoners leaving only 111 after roll call by 2 AM.
“150 Boko Haram terrorists were all released. The attack lasted for 3 hours.
“They attacked through the back of the prison, planted bombs around the prison and blew open the doors.”
Another source, however, while agreeing that the figure is much more than the reported 600 escaped inmates, modestly put the figure to over 800.
Speaking to News Band over the phone, he said that all the inmates were released to escape but that Abba Kyari did not escape.
According to him, over six vehicles were burnt, while dynamites were used to carry out the operations.
He said: “Over 6 vehicles were burnt. Dynamites were used to carry out the operations. A Civil Defence staff member on duty was shot dead.
“There was a change of guard duties yesterday among the different Task Forces.
“The Invaders operation lasted about four hours. Prison staff is yet to Know the numbers of inmates that were lost to the operation as at this moment.
“The entrance doors were blown away by the dynamites.
“The exit road where the intimates are vetted by Prison official before going to the court was also blown open.
“Some inmates refused to escape while some inmates have been rearrested.
“It was a not a small attack. What I saw live was like in the movies.
“About four inmates died. They were killed outside while trying to escape. Seems they were shot by vigilantes of security personnel.”
Concerning Abba Kyari, he said they tried to release him but failed.
He said: “They did not succeed. They broke the first door, the second one and the third one.
“They got agitated as time was running against them so they left. The operation lasted from around 9:30 PM to 12 midnight.
“In all more than 800 escaped. The whole inmates were 996 but only 108 were left behind.
“Information at my disposal, meanwhile, shows that more than 100 have been rearrested.
“Those rearrested are locked up under heavy security and without food as I talk to you now.”
Amidst the conflicting figures, News Band could adduce that a little below 1000 inmates were actually held in Kuje.
It can also authoritatively affirm that if a little over 100 in mates were left behind, then over 800 actually escaped.
In the meantime, it is yet to be confirmed that a little over 100 were rearrested, and not the 300 as claimed by government sources.
Recall that the Federal Government said it has launched manhunt for the embattled Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, former Governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, former Governor of Taraba State, Jolly Nyame, and about 300 other inmates who cannot be accounted for after the prison break, according to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior.