8th August, 2011
The Rivers State chapter of Action Congress of Congress, ACN, has called for a full scale inquiry into the circumstances surrounding yesterday’s jail break at the Port Harcourt Prisons, where five inmates allegedly escaped.
According to the party,” driven by our concern for the sanity and health of the society vis-Ã -vis transparency and accountability on the part of the authorities and policy makers in the state, we in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Rivers State chapter call for thorough investigations into the incident.”
ACN recalled that in 2005, there was also a major jail break in the Port Harcourt Prisons, setting at large many hardened criminals and enemies of the civilised world.
According to the party “the effect of that jail break was the untold havoc which the criminals and their gangs unleashed on the state and residents of Port Harcourt.
“We, therefore, urge the authorities in the state to ensure proper investigations into the menacing occurrence by setting up a judicial panel to examine its immediate and remote cause(s), especially as it now recurs at will, in great magnitude and within very a short time frame.”
In statement made available to P.M.NEWS in Port Harcourt by Jerry Needam, the Publicity Secretary, the party said: “the enquiries should also seek to unearth possible complicity on the part of prison authorities and any group, official or individual who, for vested interest might be intriguing against the state and peace or comfort of law-abiding citizens or residents. It is our conviction that the state, before long will count huge losses if the rising trend is not curbed, as the ugly incident is already affecting the image of the state negatively.”
The party also urged the relevant authorities to, as a matter of urgency, take a close look at the general condition of the prisons in Port Harcourt and other places within the state, extending same to the working conditions and background of prison personnel.
“This will go a long way in rectifying anomalies and boosting harmony and tranquility in the sector for peace to reflect on the larger state community,” the party said.
 By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt