AIT News gathered that a group calling
itself the Prisoners Against Injustice in Nigeria (PAIN) has claimed
responsibility for the fire which reportedly started around 10:45 am.
The buildings affected are the moribund
clinic block, Custody 2, which is the home to 153 awaiting trial inmates,
convicts block (custody 3) where 322 inmates are crammed into, and Custody 4,
another awaiting trial block where additional 306 inmates are packed.
The group made the claim in a handwritten
statement posted on the prison notice board before it was removed by the prison
authorities.
According to PAIN the attack was meant to
draw the attention of the world to the sad state of prisons and corruption
within the system.
PAIN said they burnt down the overcrowded
cells to ensure that spacious replacements is built.
The group in its statement described the
recent death of Samuel Mba, on Tuesday, June 27 an inmate awaiting trial but
remanded in Kuje prison for the past four years as the last straw.
The group blamed Mba’s death and many other
inmates on gross negligence, corruption and lack of basic medicines and
equipment to treat emergencies and routine health challenges.
The group described the prison clinic building as a dead place housing
non-functional equipment to deceive visitors.
In spite of the annual budgetary allocation
to the Nigeria Prison Service, the group said inmates must buy medicines
through prison staff and seek funds to treat serious conditions in healthcare
facilities outside the yard.
While a total of 781 inmates have been
displaced, PAIN added that the situation should get the attention of the
judiciary to accelerate trials and grant bails where applicable.
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