Nigeria prison break: Let’s heighten security at our borders – Ablakwa

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called on the government to heighten security at the country’s borders following this week’s jailbreak in neighbouring Nigeria where some 240 suspected Boko Haram terrorists and other hardened criminals have escaped from prison.

According to Mr Ablakwa, evidence suggests a number of these fugitives always head to Ghana.

In a Facebook post, he recalled that in April this year, some nine alleged Nigerian jail breakers were arrested in Ada after they somehow managed to outwit border authorities.

“Even though Nigerian officials have requested INTERPOL assistance, it is crucial that our citizens, particularly those residing in border communities are educated on how to increase alertness and it shouldn’t be impossible to widely circulate pictures of all the former inmates of the Kogi-based Security Custodial Centre,” Mr Ablakwa said.

He called on all Ghanaians to commit to play their part in improving the volatile security situation in the sub-region.

This is the second mass jailbreak this year in Nigeria.

The attackers according to Reuters news agency blew up the prison’s perimeter fence to gain entry.

Nigeria’s prison service said the gunmen were heavily armed and fought a fierce gun battle with the guards.

A total of 294 prisoners were housed at the medium-security prison, which is located on the main road connecting the cities of Kabba and Lokoja. The majority of them were in pre-trial detention.

Source: Classfmonline.com