Security has been strengthened around correctional facilities in Kano State following the police’s interception of a vehicle loaded with explosives in the state.
PREMIUM TIMES noticed on Friday and Saturday that routes leading to Goron Dutse and Kurmawa correctional facilities in the metropolis were fortified with heavier than usual security personnel. Parts of the roads were also cordoned off with road users asked to take alternative routes.
Before the new security measures were put in place, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Sama’ila Dikko, said the police foiled planned terrorist attacks and recovered firearms and explosive devices between 27 June and 21 July.
“A team of Policemen led by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Alabi Lateef, while on intelligence-led surveillance patrol along Chiranchi Dorayi Quarters Kano, in continuation of a case under investigation, intercepted a moving Mercedes Benz Motor Vehicle.
“While they were about to stop and search the vehicle, the occupants opened fire on the policemen and the operatives engaged the hoodlums (who) ran away and abandoned the said motor vehicle.
“Search conducted by a team of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Defence (EOD-CBRN), the following items were recovered from the vehicle; (1) Three (3) A47 rifles with magazines fully loaded with Ninety (90) rounds of ammunition (2) Fourteen (14) empty shell of AK47 ammunitions (3) Three different mobile phones (4) different types of Explosive Devices (IEDs),” the police commissioner said.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson Nigerian Correctional Service in Kano, Musbahu Lawan, said the security measures in place were to prevent attacks on the prison similar to that of Kuje in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Terrorists, earlier this month used explosives to breach the correctional facility in Kuje, leading to the escape of over 800 of the 994 inmates.