PHOTOS: Security has being beefed up at the Bauchi Custodial Center
—Residents panic over sporadic gunshots at the custodian center–
ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi-
Security agents attached to the Bauchi State custodial center on Friday afternoon foiled an attempted jail break.
The incident caused pandemonium to the residents living around the Correctional Service facility, following sporadic gunshots which were heard at the area.
Two Personnels of the Correctional Service sustained varying degrees of injuries from gunshots are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital within Bauchi Metropolis.
A resident who lives around the Custodial Center, said several gunshots were fired during the incident which occured at about 12pm before Friday prayer causing them serious panic.
“I live very close to the Bauchi Custodial Center and I was at home this afternoon when I heard sporadic gunshots. I heard at least 10 gunshots,” a resident who craved for anonymity said.
Confirming the incident to journalists in a telephone interview in Bauchi, the Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abubakar Adam, said the situation has been put under control as all the inmates have been put back into their respective cells.
“Yes, there was a little problem at the Custodian Center today, we were just coming from there with the Comptroller”.
“We have gone to see the situation and I can tell you that everything has been brought back to normal,” he said.
The NCS Spokesman who spoke on the cause of the incident stated that: “One of the staff was discovered to be smuggling prohibited substances into the Correctional facility for the inmates, he was caught and tried by the authorities.
“Some of the inmates who were the end users of the illicit substances felt bad and decided to protest the action of the Custodial authorities.
“We have some inmates from the southern part of the country who were aware of the happenings in Owerri so, they teamed up with those protesting the stop of the supply and attempted to do a jail break”.
NATIONAL ACCORD Correspondent who visited the Custodial Center located close to the Emir of Bauchi’s Palace in the metropolis, observed that security had been beefed up at the Center.
Five security Hilux vehicles belonging to the Rapid Response Squad of the Bauchi State Command of the Nigeria Police Force and that of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, were seen stationed at the gate of the Custodial Center.
Fierce looking and gun wielding security agents of the two agencies were seen at various spots around the area.
The road which passes in front of the gate of the Custodial Center leading to Bakaro, Karofi and Shagari areas, had been blocked while residents in cars, tricycles, motorcycles or bicycles were turned back and asked to take alternative roads to get to their destinations.