Kuje: FG Had Pre-knowledge Of Attack By Terrorists – Aregbesola, Minister For Interior

By Ayodele Oni

The Nigerian Government knew about the attack on Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, by terrorists before it took place. This was confirmed on Thursday by Rauf Aregbesola, Minister for Interior, whose Ministry supervises Correctional Centres.

Terrorists, in their numbers, last month,  brazenly stormed the prison in an attack that, at once, shocked and shook the nation. A number of high profile prisoners, including dangerous terrorists, are inmates

During the attack which lasted for almost three hours, their operations went unchallenged. They freely used explosives and superior gunfire. At the end, tragedy was wrought on the country.

Over 800 inmates were released by the terrorists, including 65 Boko Haram fighters who were in custody. Weeks after the attack, over 300 inmates are still at large. Five people were killed, including a Security personnel and four inmates.

It has always been strongly suspected that the Federal Government was in the know before the attack but inexplicably did nothing to stop it, fuelling a ridiculous but strong allegation that it must have been an arranged mission to release detained Boko Haram elements at the Centre.

A former Minister for Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, had in a video recording which went viral, revealed that the Department of State Services, DSS, duly informed  the Military of the would-be attack. He regretted that the Military did nothing until the tragic incident.

And, even though the leadership of the Military denied Fani-Kayode’s allegations, Aregbesola on Thursday confirmed that yes, the Federal Government  had pre-knowledge of the attack.

Speaking to the State House Press Corp after a meeting of Security Chiefs, the Minister admitted to what has now become obvious: that there was an intelligence report available to Government before the attack. Aregbesola regretted that there was no will to act on the information.  He did not reveal those who failed to act on it.

He, however, disclosed that the report of preliminary investigation into the incident is ready, and has been handed over to the President, Muhammadu Buhari. Those who went deaf and dumb in their responsibilities will be punished, he said.

Fani-Kayode had heaped praises on the DSS for giving intelligence information before the attack, as well as before the attack on the Abuja-Kaduna bound train about three months ago, but indicted the leadership of the Military for alleged dereliction in their duties. He asked for their sack.