From Ikem Felix, Nsukka
Enugu State prisons Controller, Mr. Isaiah Amariri, has disclosed that prisons officials have re-arrested six inmates among the prisoners that escaped from Nsukka prisons Tuesday night.
Amariri disclosed this in Nsukka on Wednesday, but declined to give exact number of inmates that escaped. He explained that investigation into the incident was ongoing.
He said the state prison service was liaising with security agencies and community vigilance groups to ensure that the fleeing inmates were captured.
“There was jailbreak in Nsukka prisons, Tuesday night between 12pm and 3am in which many of the inmates escaped. However, six of the fleeing inmates have been re-arrested.I cannot give the exact figure for now.
“We will send our findings to the Controller General of prisons who will make public the exact number and cause of the jailbreak.
He said at the end of investigation, anybody in the service found culpable would be brought to justice to serve as deterrent to others.
“Security has been beefed up in and around Nsukka prisons with surveillance on the prisons facilities, inmates and staff.
“The prisons authorities are on top of the situation and will put measures in place to avoid a repeat of what happened,” he said.
The Controller solicited for the help of the general public who might have information on the whereabouts or hiding place of the fleeing inmates to feel free to report to prisons authorities or security agents.
“We promise that such information will be given the confidentiality it deserves and source identity will be fully protected”.
On the challenges facing Nsukka prisons, Amariri said the prison was established about hundred years ago. “The original capacity of Nsukka prisons is 168 but today its accommodating 264 inmates,” he said.