FG issues statement on Ilorin prison riot

Minister of Interior, Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (Rtd) has ordered investigation into inmates riot at Oke Kura Prison, Ilorin, Kwara State last Thursday, which reportedly claimed six lives in the condemned prisoners' cell, while many others sustained injuries.

He also directed an Intra-Ministerial Committee to work closely with Nigeria Prisons’ management team with a view to unraveling the remote circumstance surrounding the incident, avoiding a repeat of such in any of the nation’s penitentiary and to sanction officials found culpable.

A statement by Dambazzau’s Chief press secretary, Osaigbovo Ehisienmen, said the minister has consistently maintained his stance on the need to adhere to the United Nation Minimum Standards for the Treatments and Rehabilitation of Prison inmates including condemned Prisoners in line with the Mandela Rules.

“Findings overtime have shown that such riot involving condemned criminals has been as a result of frustration of being on death row for a period of 10yrs or more,” it reads.

“Moreover, a Prison that was built in 1914, with 121 inmates capacity now accommodating 417, is bound to create difficulties in management.

“Government has therefore embarked on reconstructing old Prisons, while also building new Prison facilities in some locations”.

Dambazzau reassured of his resolve to retool the Nigeria Prison Service, to effectively play its pivotal role of Reforming, Rehabilitating and Reintegrating transformed inmates back to the society, while ensuring that the rights of Prisoners are well protected.