>
“Indiscriminate gunshots” fired by officials of the Nigerian Prison Service (NPS) has thrown Kuje Prison, Abuja into commotion.
Lawyers of Charles Okah, one of the inmates at the facility, disclosed this in a statement, saying the life of their client is under threat.
The statement reads:
“We are solicitors to CHARLES TONBRAH OKAH, in particular, and the entire inmates of Kuje Medium Security Prison in Abuja (whom we shall hereinafter, collectively refer to as “our clients”).
“It is our clients’ brief that Kuje Prison is currently under attack from members of the Nigerian Prisons Service armed squad who are indiscriminately firing gun shots and tear gas into the air.
“This has created pandemonium and violated the fundamental rights of the inmates, particularly, Mr. Charles Okah who has a known medical history which is incompatible with tear gas, gunshots, etc.
“We are, by virtue of this notice to Nigerians and the international community, particularly, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL and GLOBAL WITNESS, making it clear that the Nigerian Prisons Service is already in breach of the fundamental rights of the inmates of Kuje Prison.
“Our clients therefore reserve the right to sue and seek redress for the breach.”
Riot broke out at the prison on Monday morning just as officials arrived at the facility for their routine duties.
It was learnt that the crisis started at about 10.30am from one of the blocks and spread to other blocks within the facility.
A source disclosed that a team of security operatives had been drafted to the facility to contain the uprising but could not tell whether any inmate had escaped.
Another source said inmates had been locked up while heavily armed security operatives fire teargas towards inmates’ cells.
The spokesperson of the Nigerian Prison Service, Francis Enobore, has confirmed the incident but said facts were yet to be established.
Details later…