The Kuje Prisons has been engulfed with fire as several buildings have reportedly been caught in the fire situation.
The fire incident was reported to have started at around 10:45 am on Saturday.
A group identified as Prisoners Against Injustice in Nigeria (PAIN) has claimed responsibility for the fire.
The group claimed in a handwritten statement according to Sahara Reporters that the attack was meant to draw attention to the pathetic state of prisons and corruption within prison services.
The group in the statement which was reportedly posted on the prisons notice board before it was taken down by authorities stated that the recent death on Tuesday, June 27 of Samuel Mba, an inmate awaiting trial for the past four years was an eyeopener leading to the attack.
The group further blamed the inmate’s death and that of many others on the gross negligence, corruption and the lack of basic medicines and equipment to treat emergencies and routine health challenges.
The group in the message further added: “Corrupt politicians who have looted the treasury only spend a few days in prison and are given special treatment while the poor man who stole a mobile phone is awaiting trial for years without bail,” said PAIN.
“While corrupt judges have never stepped their foot into the cells as inmates, their trials are speedy and they have not been made to face the same fate they have subjected so many others too.
“The affected buildings are the moribund Clinic block, Custody 2, which is the congested home to 153 Awaiting Trial Inmates, Convicts block (custody 3) where 322 inmates are crammed into, and Custody 4, another Awaiting Trial block where additional 306 inmates are packed in like sardines.”
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