Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, says insecurity has remained unabated in the country because the arrest and prosecution of criminals were not made a priority.

Atiku made this known while reacting to the attack on Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Abuja on Tuesday.

The former Vice President, who took to his verified Twitter handle on Wednesday, expressed concern over the incident, noting that he was deeply concerned about the implication of the attack on the security of lives and property of the residents of the Federal Capital Territory.

“I am concerned and saddened by reports of the attack on Kuje Prison by suspected terrorists.

“My concern arises not only from the prospects of the escape of detained terrorists and hardened criminals but of its implications for the security of lives and property to residents of Abuja and its environs.

“I wish to restate what I said to @THISDAYLIVE on Monday that our inability to enthrone a regime of law and order in which the arrest and prosecution of criminals will be made a priority as a deterrent to copycats is the reason why insecurity continues to fester in our country,” Atiku tweeted.

The Federal Government had said about 600 inmates escaped from the correctional centre after the attack.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mr Shuaibu Belgore, who made the disclosure while speaking to newsmen during a visit to the facility on Wednesday morning, said over 300 of the inmates have been retrieved, adding that more are still at large.

Belgore added that one operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) was killed, while three others were injured in the attack.

The Permanent Secretary further stated that the correctional centre houses 994 inmates, noting that the attack was carried out by Boko Haram terrorists.

The Star