Inmates at Kuje Medium and Maximum Security Prison in Abuja are threatening to cause violence after prison officials disclosed that a large chunk of money kept for the prisoners was stolen by the terrorists who attacked the facility on Tuesday night.
A source within the prison said the money had been kept with at least five prison officials, including those manning the commissary, for several months.
“One prison guard told 13 inmates this afternoon that all the money they kept with him had been stolen.
“He bluntly told them that the N26 million is no longer in his possession,” an official told newsmen.
The prison, which is one of the most secured custody facilities in the country, was invaded at about 10:00 pm for over two hours by terrorists, leading to the escape of over 1300, which include Boko Haram members.
Defence Minister, Bashir Magashi, revealed that only a few inmates, mostly prominent personalities and those whose prison term will end soon, refused to take advantage of the jailbreak to escape incarceration.
President Muhammadu Buhari visited the venue for a few minutes on his way to airport on a foreign trip to Senegal Wednesday afternoon, inspecting the damage while assuring correctional managers of support.
As the president leaves the scene, prisoners began shouting that they lost money during the raid, while some threatened violence if officials refuse to return their cash.
“Yes, that is the problem we’re confronting now,” an official said when asked for corroboration Wednesday evening.
“Some people lost money in naira while some lost in dollars.”
The official revealed that the money belongs to wealthy individuals that are inside the prison.
“It’s those big men that are more enraged because they kept millions with the warders,” the official said.”About N82 million was declared missing and four people are looking for $36,000.
“We don’t know what the prison management will do about the matter because the money was not kept with the warders officially,” the source added.
The officials has spoken under anonymity because they did not receive permission to comment on internal prison disputes.
It was also gathered that As of press time, the corrections spokesperson did not respond to a request seeking comments about the missing cash and threats of violence.
The facility holds politicians including former Taraba Governor, Jolly Nyame and federal lawmaker Farouk Lawan.
Embattled Deputy Police Commissioner Abba Kyari is also held at the centre, as well as former pensions directorate grunt, Abdulrasheed Maina.