The 13th September prison break of 264 inmates from the Federal Government Correctional Centre in Kabba, Kogi State, is a serious matter that many have failed to read a deeper meaning into. As the war in the Northeast and Northwest intensifies, with the Nigerian Military engaged in a war of attrition with Boko Haram, ISWAP, kidnappers, and bandits, a new front has opened up.
The fact that Boko Haram forces could break through the cordon in the Northeast and West and attack Kogi state in the Northcentral makes for grim reading. The attack on the Kabba correctional facility was pre-meditated and well planned. It aimed to free high-value Boko Haram targets housed in the facility.
Based on the high value of the targets within the facility, a combined team of the Nigerian Police, Correctional Officers, and the Military were safeguarding the Prison. Over 40 Armed guards were at the facility, yet the attackers overran the facility and freed 260 prisoners.
Although 100 prisoners have voluntarily returned, over 100 high-value terrorists escaped with a Chief commander of the Boko Haram forces, the alleged primary target of the invaders who wished to free their leader.
This is indeed a worrisome development, which shows an intricate network of planning, logistics, and tactical execution. The terrorists had insider information, and as the government investigation unfolds, one wonders if heads will roll due to this breach of national security.
If many think this is the end of the matter, far from it. A terror cell is now based in Kogi State, and their modus operandi is slowly coming to light.
On the 22nd of September, exactly 90 days after the prison break, a ban of armed assailants attacked ECWA church Kabba, just a few kilometers from the venue of the prison break. This cannot be a coincidence as these gunmen killed several worshippers and kidnapped an uncertain number. This is classic Boko Haram action which shows the terrorists are still in Kogi State and intend to make it a base of operations.
The government needs to redirect its efforts towards containing this new threat. Also, Boko Haram elements are already in Niger State hence a coordinated link-up between these two terror cells will spell doom for the whole of north-central and open up a new front in the war against terrorists.
Already, the Kabba-Okene-Abuja Highway is a kidnappers’ den. To add Boko Haram to the mix will plunge the whole region into disarray.
The time to act is now before it becomes too late.
Written by Attah Essien
