According to reports, about 20 inmates were killed in the attack on Ikoyi Custodial Centre during the 2020 #Endsars protest. The spokesperson for the Lagos Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Olarotimi Oladokun, made this known on Thursday through a statement.
Oladakun made this statement while reacting to the statement of a witness identified as Christian Akara, who testified before a coroner’s inquest on the matter.
According to Akara, over 150 inmates were killed by armed guards during the jailbreak. He added that he participated in carrying the bodies.
However, Oladokun refuted the witness statement saying that some invaders engaged the security guards, which led to the death of the 20 inmates.
Oladokun said, “The invaders, who came in large numbers, engaged the security guards in heavy exchange of fire, encouraging hardened inmates to set the facility on fire in an attempt to cause mass escape. Thankfully, what would have resulted in an unprecedented security breach in Lagos State was professionally rebuffed.”
“Sadly, 20 inmates lost their lives while desperately trying to escape, and eight correctional officers sustained various degrees of injury with some life-threatening. In line with correctional service protocols, the respective stakeholders and next-of-kins of the deceased have been duly notified.”
