JUST IN: Buhari visits Kuje prison after terrorist attack

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday visited the Kuje Custodial Centre after a group of terrorists attack the facility causing massive destruction which led to the escape of many inmates.

The prison is in Kuje Area Council of the FCT, lying outside the Abuja city centre, 47 kilometres to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, and 24 kilometres to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

Dangerous criminals, including apprehended Boko Haram terrorists, are held in the prison, which also houses high-profile public officers standing trial or already convicted.

In the meantime, the Nigerian Correctional Service has confirmed that there was an attack on the Custodial Centre in the Kuje area council of the Federal Capital Territory.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, in the early hours of Wednesday, he said the armed squad of the service in collaboration with other security agencies responded to the attack.

He, however, said calm had been returned to the area.

The statement was titled, “Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje attacked by gunmen.”

It read, “I wish to confirm that at about 2200hrs, some yet-to-be-identified gunmen attacked the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, in the Federal Capital Territory.

“However, men of the Armed Squad of the Nigerian Correctional Service and other security agencies attached to the Custodial Centre have responded and calm has been restored to the facility and the situation is under control.

“Other details will be made available soon.”

Security has been tightened in most parts of Kuje communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Police helicopters were seen flying above the area as banks and some schools remained closed due to the tension in the area.

Other security agents are also on red alert to forestall any breach of peace.