Oyo Prisons Jailbreak: We Lost 2 Security Agents-Makinde •Says Some Inmates Still At Large
Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has disclosed that that two security agents, an Army Corporal attached to Operation Burst and an operative of the Oyo State State Amotekun Corps, were killed in the jailbreak that happened at the Abolongo Correctional Centres, Oyo Town.
He gave the name of the slain Amotekun operative as Tijani Babatunde and further disclosed that some of the prisoners set free after the jailbreak are still at large.
Governor Makinde made the disclosures in a broadcast to update the people of the state on the jail break which occured in the early hours of today, adding that a female Amotekun volunteer is in critical condition after the attack.
The governor said the correctional facility was attacked with explosives, adding that the security operatives who responded to a distress call following the jailbreak were ambushed.
“Last night, security operatives responded to a distress call about a jailbreak in the Abolongo Correctional Centre, Oyo Town.
“The correctional facility had been attacked with explosives, and some inmates were set free. Our security men were ambushed.
“As a result, we lost two of our security agents–A corporal of the Nigerian Army attached to Operation Burst, and an Operative of the Oyo State Amotekun Corps, Tijani Sadiq Babatunde.
“Aside from the two lives lost, we had several operatives injured. I must mention that one of our Amotekun female volunteers, Shukurat Omoba, is presently in critical condition.
“I have visited her at the hospital, and we are deploying all state resources to ensure that she survives this. Please, let us all join in prayer for her speedy and complete recovery.
“Although some inmates have been recovered and taken back into custody, some are still at large. All security agencies have been placed on high alert to ensure that all that escaped are rearrested and returned to custody.
“I am therefore using this opportunity also to put the citizens on alert. There is no better time to repeat the call to action: if you see something, please say something.
“These criminals would want to go to areas where they will not be easily rearrested. If you spot any unexplained strangers in your community, please call the 615-security emergency number immediately, and make a report.
“I have directed the security agencies to deploy personnel to critical national assets within the state and to monitor all entrance and exit points across the state,” he said.
The governor, while appealing to the people of the state to remain calm, said there has been speculations going round on the possible reason for the attack, but advised that such speculations should be disregarded.
“I appeal to you, the good people of Oyo State, to remain calm. We are aware of the various speculations going round especially on social media regarding the reason for this attack.
“I urge you all to disregard any such rumours as the authorities are still investigating the matter. Rest assured that we will continue to do everything we are constitutionally allowed to do to secure our state,” Makinde added.
