UPDATE: Five die in Kuje prison attack, 879 inmates escaped, 443 recaptured, 551 still at large

Nigeria Custodial Service (NCS) on Wednesday evening said five persons died during Tuesday night’s attack on Kuje Custodial Centre, Abuja by terrorists.

NCS had earlier said that only one person died in the attack.

Umar Abubakar. NCS spokesman, in an update on the incident said the five dead included one official of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and four inmates.

In addition, he said 16 inmates and three custodial officers were injured during the attack.

Umar also said 879 inmates escaped from the facility while 443 had been recaptured and 551 are still at large.

He said the service would collaborate with the National Identity Management Commission to track all the fleeing inmates.

Abubakar said the terrorists used explosives to blow up the centre’s fence and its main entrance to gain access to the facility.

The terrorists also set a number of vehicles and other valuables worth millions of Naira on fire.