Prison break: Reps ask FG to give correctional facilities’ guards machine guns, other security measures

The House of Representatives has directed the Federal Government to provide correctional facilities’ guards with sophisticated machine guns to deter jailbreakers.

The House also requested General Purpose Machine Guns and electric wire fences at all correctional facilities. This resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Muhammed Kazaure on Thursday.

In his motion, Kazaure, who is known for his comic exploits in the House, raised concerns about the recent rate of jailbreak across the country.He said allowing locked-up criminals to be roaming about is dangerous for the country.

To this, he said there is a need for officers guiding the facilities to be provided with superior firepower to deal with jailbreakers.

“If adequate steps are not taken to re-arrest the escaped convicts and provide adequate security Correctional Centres, some of the criminals who escaped may become more emboldened to the point of forming terrorist groups that would put the country in jeopardy,” he said.

Aside from weapons, the lawmakers also called for the installation of CCTV cameras and for FG to take over payment of electricity bills at the centres.The Committee on Appropriations was also directed to ensure funds are made available for the rehabilitation of the centres.