NAN-H-130
Panel
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, Oct.25, 2016 (NAN) The Special investigation panel set up by the National Human Rights
Commission (NHRC) has commenced investigations into the alleged extra judicial killings in the Abakaliki Federal Prisons.
The special panel is also investigating the alleged presence of
lunatics, infants, pregnant women and nursing mothers in the prison.
Inmates of the prison on Aug. 18, 2016, attempted a jailbreak during which some inmates lost their lives and others were injured.
A rights group, Committee for the Defence of Human rights, Ebonyi State Branch, had accused security officials of extra judicial killings at the Abakaliki Prisons.
While the Comptroller General of Prisons, Ahmed Ja’afaru, said six people were killed and 10 others injured in the incident, the group said the figure was higher.
The five- member investigative panel, led by Mr Anthony Ojukwu, has four days to conclude its assignment.
“The committee was mandated to investigate the killings and
injuries that were recorded during the botched jailbreak.
“We are also investigating cases of inmates with
mental illness, infants and women who are also in the prison,” he said.
Ojukwu noted that a mentally derailed person is not supposed to be in prison but should be taken to hospital for medical attention,” he said.
In her remarks, the state Comptroller of Prisons Mrs. Emilia Oputa, said the deaths at the prisons were regrettable.
“We did not expect the inmates of the Abakaliki Prisons
to revolt against the officials as they were well-treated more than their Afikpo Prison counterparts.
“I can confirm this with my assessment during the visit to the two federal prisons on assumption of office,” she said. (NAN)
RCO/JCE
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Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie