By PRINCE PERE BOTU
The State Deputy Governor, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro has expressed shock at the wanton destruction of structures and facilities at the Nigeria Correctional Service (NSC),Warri following last week jailbreak by inmates during the End-SARS protest.
Dcn Otuaro gave the expression yesterday when he paid an inspection visit to the NSC, Warri to ascertain the extent of damage during the jail break on Thursday last week.
The Deputy Governor who was conducted round the Center by the Deputy Comptroller Corrections, DCC Okonkwo Adimabua, inspected the various sections destroyed by the inmates during the protest saying that it was disheartening.
He described the extent of damage as complete destruction of facilities and buildings at the Warri Correctional Service, noting that he did not know the magnitude of the destruction until his visit.
According to the Delta State Deputy Governor, “it was unthinkable and unimaginable for the inmates to destroy facilities meant for them”.
Dcn Otuaro noted that Nigerians owed it a duty to protect private and government properties in every part of the country as the level of destruction was heart breaking.
He disclosed that plans were on by the state government to provide some relief materials such as food items, toiletries and medical palliatives to the inmates stressing that with the level of destruction government would do more.
While commending security agencies for their efforts in combating the forces of the jailbreak, the Deputy Governor noted that the present state of the Warri Correctional Service had posed a huge challenge to the officials and charged them to do their best.
Disclosing that he had been part of the NCS,Warri with his ‘Prison Outreach’, Dcn Otuaro revealed that he built and equipped the Library and Computer Centre that was destroyed and has been giving several assistance to inmates and the Center.
Reacting, the Chairman of Warri South Local Government Council, Honourable Dr. Michael Tidi said with the visit he had seen the level of destruction at the Nigeria Correctional Service, Warri and expressed shock while advocating for participatory governance.
Narrating the account of the jailbreak, the Deputy Comptroller Corrections, Nigeria Correctional Service, DCC Okonkwo Adimabua disclosed that twenty six inmates escaped on Thursday last week out of the one thousand seven inmates when EndSARS protesters stormed the area which led to a riot inside the yard.
He said various sections such as the Library and Computer Centre, Female Unit, Workshop, Psychological and Mental Health Unit and some sections of the male yard among others, stressing that the authorities were in a dilemma over the level of destruction.
SPADE NG News online believed that the inmates escaped after a crowd of people stormed the prison as part of the End-SARS protests against police brutality.