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The Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content and lawmaker representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, Sen. Teslim Folarin, has called for improved security at Nigerian Correctional Centres, describing the attack on the correctional facility in Abolongo, Oyo town, as very unfortunate.
Gunmen had on Friday night stormed the Abolongo Correctional Centre in Oyo town, Oyo State, freeing inmates after a gun duel with security operatives. The attack led to the death of two security personnel–a Nigerian Army corporal attached to ‘Operation Burst,’ and an operative of the Oyo State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, Tijani Sadiq Babatunde.
Folarin, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Com. YSO Olaniyi, condoled with families of the slain officers, and also wished the critically injured personnel quick recovery.
“Attack on prison is an act of terrorism. Within a year, Correctional Centres in Edo, Kogi, Imo and Oyo States have been successfully attacked by unknown gunmen. The governments at all levels must not allow this ugly trend to continue.
“Apart from reinforcing security architecture of the country’s custodial facilities, it is noteworthy that majority of the centres are obsolete, therefore need to be rebuilt to international standards,” he said.
The three-term lawmaker charged the Nigerian Correctional Service to adopt sophisticated technology and modern mechanism in securing the country’s custodial centres.
“In the 21st century, it is germane to change the approach and redirect our intellects and resources towards combating the security challenges confronting the nation especially organised crimes such as terrorism, armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry among others.
“Though our security agencies have proven themselves to be competent over the years and can compete favourably with their foreign counterparts, but there is the need to adopt modern technologies in securing the nation and its citizens.
“The fleeing criminals pose serious dangers to our society. Good citizens must be concerned that more than 500 hardened criminals are at large. It is a grave criminal offence for their families and friends to shelter them. Therefore, residents of Oyo State and the neighbouring states should help themselves by reporting any suspicious movement or any sign of the escaped inmates and the gunmen, in and around the communities, to the nearest security post,” Folarin said.