ISWAP claims responsibility for Kuje prison attack

The Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack on Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Abuja on Tuesday night.

ISWAP claimed responsibility for the attack via a video released by the Islamic State’s A’maq Agency on Wednesday.

“Fighters of Islamic State attacked Kuje prison in Abuja yesterday and succeeded in freeing dozens of prisoners,” the agency captioned the video.

In the 38-second video obtained by The Star, the terrorists were seen shooting as they attacked the correctional centre.

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The assailants, who were shouting “Allahu Akbar”, were seen marching in groups while vehicles and building were razed.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) had said four inmates of the correctional centre died while 879 escaped during the attack on the facility by terrorists.

The NCoS, in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Mr Abubakar Umar, said the assailants broke into the Kuje prison using explosive devices through the main entrance and the fence of the facility respectively.

The Service added that an operative of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the correctional centre was killed, noting that three personnel of the NCoS were injured.

The Star