“The spate of attacks on our custodial facilities, the last of which occurred here on Friday night, calls for serious concern,” the minister said during a visit to the facility in Oyo, Oyo State.

“First, in our society, and second, in the professionalism of your (officials).” This is inexcusable, and we are declaring “enough is enough.”

“I’m assuring Nigerians that the Federal Government will pursue, not just those who attacked our facility, but also those who have escaped lawful custody.

“The attack was unconscionable. I commend officers of the correctional service and other members of sister security agencies, who provided perimeter security for our facility for fighting gallantly and holding the fort before the attackers were able to gain access to the awaiting trial section of the facility.

“However, those who escaped are already being pursued. Some have been rearrested, many more will still be captured,” the minister stated.

Giving more details about those who escaped, Aregbesola noted that 446 out of 907 escapees have been recaptured, while 69 never left the facility.

“At the last count, 446 of the escapees have been recaptured leaving 392 still at large. We want to assure Nigerians that the service has an updated database of the escapees which includes their biometrics.

“We are sharing the database with all security agencies in the country including the Interpol, so those who escape our recapture efforts can be nabbed.

“To those on the run, be assured you have nowhere to hide. You can run, but you can’t hide. We’ll fish you out!

“We are publishing details of those who escaped in the mass media so the public can assist in that effort.

“This matter is being investigated and we shall leave no stone unturned to get to the root of the matter – the remote and immediate causes and the vulnerability of our system and personnel if any.

“There shall not be a repeat of our guards being overwhelmed again. This is an anomaly that should never repeat itself.

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria cannot be overwhelmed. Our guards will give whatever it takes, never to be overwhelmed again.”

“We are going after every single inmate that escaped from custody. We shall hunt them to the ends of the earth.

“All the security agencies in the country are on their trail. We shall not rest or tire until we bring the last one in, dead or alive.”

“I will need to add that it is a criminal offense punishable by a jail term, to offer any assistance whatsoever, not even giving a cup of water, to any inmate that escaped from lawful custody.

“You cannot help them in any way, absolutely, by way of cash, food, clothing, medical care, employment, road direction, and any form of help, other than to encourage them to turn themselves in, and report their sighting to law enforcement.”

“The Federal Government, however, out of magnanimity, is giving them a small window to voluntarily turn themselves in, for which they will be pardoned for escaping from custody, but not for the offense they have committed,” the minister reiterated.

“I have instructed the CG of NCOs to immediately begin the reconstruction of the damaged parts of the building,” the minister said of the effort to rebuild the facility. We hope to improve the facility’s security and make it more habitable for the inmates.”

Governor Seyi Makinde, who had earlier visited the attacked center had ordered the immediate installation of security cameras in the facility and their connection to the state’s security situation room, as well as the grading of the main road leading to the facility.

In response to reports that the arrested Fulani warlord Iskilu Wakili and the suspected Akinyele serial killer Sunday Shodipe were among the escaped inmates, Makinde said: “People are very quick to start talking about conspiracy theories about the high-profile suspects here.”

“All I can say is that the investigation is ongoing.” Yes, high-profile criminals were held in this facility, but they were not the people who were the subject of the rumor.

“Once again, I implore our people to remain calm. Banditry, insurgency, and terrorism are all problems we face across the country. And we can only deal with those issues if everyone is on board with the mission.

“As a result, they should have faith in their leaders to inform them of the current situation at the appropriate time.”

Tukur Muhammad Hamad, the Deputy Controller-General, Operations of the Nigeria Correctional Service, NCoS, reaffirmed Makinde’s position, saying, “I’ve been here since Saturday when this happened, and we’re investigating.”

“The investigation report will be handed over to my Controller-General very soon.”

“However, I’d like to state unequivocally that there are no high-profile inmates in the custodial center.”So, Iskilu Wakili and Sunday Shodipe are not here.”

“The only person we have here is the person who is involved in an EFCC case, and for your information, he is still here.”