6th July, 2022
The Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) has claimed responsibility for the audacious attack on Kuje Prison in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
In a 38 second video released Wednesday night, the terrorist group showed some of its men shooting their way into the facility as they chanted: Allahu Akbar!
Tens of fighters were seen marching in groups while vehicles and buildings were on fire in the video.
An elderly man dressed in a native attire also joined the young men who were shouting on top of their voices.
The Islamic State’s A’maq Agency released the video with the Arabic caption: “Fighters of Islamic State attacked Kuje prison in Abuja yesterday and succeeded in freeing dozens of prisoners.”
Activist Audu Bulama Bukarti provided a translation: “Islamic State fighters penetrated the prison of the Nigerian government yesterday, in Kuje city, on the outskirts of the capital, Abuja, after demolishing its walls, and successfully liberated dozens of prisoners.”
When he visited the prison on Wednesday morning, Bashir Magashi, Minister of Defence, said the attackers headed towards the direction where 64 Boko Haram suspects were kept.
Magashi said after the attack none of the suspects in custody could be located.
“The prison is accommodating about 994 inmates and over 600 escaped. Many people have been recaptured and brought back to the prison. Maybe by the close of the day, more will have been captured and returned.”
President Buhari who also visited the prison expressed disappointment in the security agencies to have allowed the attack to succeed.
President Buhari, who, like most Nigerians was shocked by both the scale and audacity of the attack queried: “How did the defences at the prison fail to prevent the attack?
“How many inmates were in the facility? How many of them can you account for? How many personnel did you have on duty? How many of them were armed?
“Were there guards on the watchtower? What did they do? Does the CCTV work?” Question after question.
The President was also informed that the security forces have recaptured 350 of the escapees while about 450 others are still unaccounted for, and that rapid work is under way to recapture the rest.
After inspecting some of the points impacted by the attack, President Buhari spoke to newsmen, expressing disappointment with the intelligence system (and utilization).
“I am disappointed with the intelligence system. How can terrorists organize, have weapons, attack a security installation and get away with it?”