Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has assured that the federal government would strengthen the countrys’ prisons’ security, vowing that the escaped Imo prison inmates will be ‘discovered’ and prosecuted.

Many believe this is a usual soundbite from the government as the authorities have not rearrested many of the escaped inmates of previous jailbreaks, especially the Benin incident.

The government has also continued to put millions of lives in danger as it fails to issue danger alerts to the public along with mugshots of escaped inmates.

Mr Osinbajo gave the assurance while addressing journalists at the Owerri Custodial Centre, Imo, on Tuesday after inspecting the facility to ascertain the extent of damage by hoodlums who attacked the centre on Monday.

The vice president, who condemned the attacks on the prison and police headquarters in Owerri, added that the security architecture of the country would be rejigged.

He further assured that all those responsible for the attacks would be uncovered and made to face the full wrath of the law.

He asserted that the attacks were against the Nigerians and the government, adding that it will not be condoned.

“Perpetrators of this act will definitely be brought to book. They must not go free. They are cowards and will be discovered and duly prosecuted.

“We will be rejigging the security architecture of the country and strengthening security at correctional centres nationwide,” he said.

Mr Osinbajo, however, urged security agencies not to relent in the fight against banditry, irrespective of the challenges involved. 

On Monday, a correctional facility and police investigations department in Owerri were set alight by unidentified attackers in an overnight operation.

Multimedia and witnesses account on social media said the attackers struck the prison and police department shortly after midnight, freeing almost 2,000 inmates.

Heavy gunfire also rang through the area, with an account saying hundreds of inmates might have escaped.

Security operatives reportedly told senior government officials to shelter in place due to the prison’s proximity to the Government House.

(NAN)