There was a riot with religious undertones at the Kuje Medium Security Correctional Centre, Abuja, on Wednesday, FIJ can report.

The riot initially started as fisticuffs between Boko Haram suspects and Christian inmates, but it soon escalated to one involving warders.

“Blood everywhere,” a source at the prison told FIJ. “There are lots of injuries right now.”

Warders eventually quelled the situation by dispersing the angry inmates with canisters of teargas.

They ensured it was something close to a carrot-and-stick approach, though, as they switched electricity on so that inmates could go into their cells to watch television.

“It worked — because 80% of the inmates are inside right now,” our source said.

Normally, inmates do not enjoy power supply in day time except in days of trouble such as this.

Although it is a medium security prison, the Kuje Correctional Centre has everything that is present in a maximum security, save a gallows. It holds condemned convicts and lifers, just like the maximum prison.

FIJ contacted Innocent Ochoja, believed to be the Deputy Controller of Prisons (DCP) in charge of Kuje, but he said he was no longer in charge of the prison.

“I don’t have the details yet as I mam no longer serving in Kuje Custodial Centre, please,” he said.

Details soon…

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