A Deputy Comptroller, Kirikiri Medium Security Prison, Mr. Kayode Odeyemi, today explained what led to the unrest at the facility a week ago.
He said contrary to the public opinion of poor ventilation, inmates went wild when Prison officials prevented smuggling of prohibited items.
Speaking during a visit by senior officials of the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, who was at the facility to investigate the incident, Odeyemi said the inmates were plotting jail-break by smuggling in phones, marijuana and other illegal items.
He said the inmates who lost their lives had tried to escape but were trapped by the barb wires on the security fence.
Giving account of how it happened, the official recalled that “a man was carrying a box of fan without proper authorization to the church in the prison. I intercepted him and refuse him entrance prior proper approval for entering.”
“On interrogating him, I was not convinced to give him entrance because that is how people smuggle illegal items into the prison in the name of given charity to the prisoners.
“No long before that we started hearing noise and revolt from the inmates which was reported to been triggered by one inmate known as bishop.”
Odeyemi stated that during the fracas, a total number of 23 prisoners sustained minor injuries and were treated, while four others that were badly injured are currently in Igbobi hospital receiving treatment.
“It is to the interest of Nigerians to note that no prisoner escaped from the protest. Guns were not fired on the prisoners but rather in the air to scare them from attempting any jail break,” he added.
In a chat with journalists, the Executive Secretary of the commission, Prof. Ben Angwe, said there was no jail break or riot as speculated.
“Possible misguided minds among the prisoners sparked up the protest,” he said.
“We are not misguided by the obligation to see that the rights and privileges given by the law are properly and adequately adhered to.
“We have to ensure that the welfare of both the prison officials and the inmates are not trampled upon.
“From our findings, we are at peace with the job carried by the Deputy Comptroller, because where there is no law, there is no sin.
“We see that there was no misconduct from the end of the DC or his warders but the act was carried out by some group of inmates who do not want to be controlled.”
The NHRC boss however lamented the congestion of the facility.
“It is quite unfortunate saw; cells that housed a population of over 56 inmates without provisions for mattresses and fan.
“There are also the cases of inmates whose matter has not been brought for hearing in the court.”
Angwe called on the federal government to urgently look into the prisoners’ welfare as well as condition of Nigeria Prison facilities.
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