In a fallout of the attack by the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) on the Kuje Correctional Center in Abuja on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, a raging debate is ongoing over the claims by prison wardens that the terrorists carted N82m and $36,000 cash during the operation.
Information emanating from the Kuje Correctional Center was that terrorists had broken into the records room and made away with the prisoners’ funds.
But in an exclusive interview with FIJ, an investigative outlet, a prison source said claims of N82m and $36,000 going missing is false, as the correctional centre isn’t permitted to hold more than N500,000 per day.
“This is a lie!”
“The system they run in that place is that they don’t keep money more than N500,000. Any money above that will be taken to the bank; Kuje Prison has a bank account with which it receives money for inmates.”
In addition to the insider scoop, FIJ founder, Fisayo Soyombo who had an undercover stint in prison, tweeted from his experience saying
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In reaction to Fisayo’s tweet, Twitter users were split on his view, some backed him, claiming the prison officials want to take advantage of the attack to perpetrate corruption, while others said due to the high-profile detainees, it could be possible the record room held such an amount.
Here are some reactions gathered by The Quest Times
@abdulwahab_234 Lol, just like how snake entered somewhere and swallowed an amount of money. Snake wasn’t found, and was the money found? Toh.
@therealdimeji Of course, it is a lie. The situation gives everyone the perfect opportunity to justify missing funds that they stole.
@The_AyeniPaul For anybody to believe a Nigerian prison had 82million naira in cash, it means they don’t have an idea what a million looks like in any denomination. There was money I believe, but not 82mil abeg It’s practically impossible
@flex_khalifa Someone somewhere looted that amount of money and was looking for a back story
@IdorenyinEtuk5 No government agency in Nigeria today is permitted to hold cash that much, as all major transactions are electronic. Usually laundered or illegal cash in such amount is held in cash by corrupt officials. Either they deliberately left the cash for Boko Haram or it’s loot.
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@Br1cksfact0ry Lies !!! Have you heard of Records? where people in General Cells keep their money so that the Marshall/Provost of their cell do not take it away from them! It’s like a bank and whenever they need it they write a short note of the amount they need. It’s 100% possible !
@omo_akin4real Just three days as a prisoner and you have become expert on how prison are ran
@offor2000 Dearest @fisayosoyombo while we appreciate your 8 days stay in prison & it’s outcome. I can authoritatively tell you that you are absolutely WRONG. Maybe the prison authorities are out to convert inmates monies but FAR more than what is mentioned here can be in their care.
@Adam_11509 Dere is wat dey call record room in prison where all inmates keep dere money and dere belongings. some inmate eat and leave better dan some ppl outside bcus there is vip and vvip in prison in kuje dere r ex Governors, senators, rich men serving dere so how much is 82m?
@KoffiRenner Wa shey u see all the nooks & corners of the prison? Were you allowed to access all parts of the prison? You should understand when you make statements like this, it will be critically analysed. Never heard of a prisoner with access to all parts, when no be Hollywood Film.
@Dicko007 Mr Fisayo, this your assertion no follow at all. Na 8vdays you did ai, kuma yu no be Kuje. Maina, Niamey, Faruq, Abba kyari and host of other senior rich men in one place. Baba yu sef reason am nau. Have yu heard of Almustapha time in prison?
@oluwadiebere Oga is a lie even the cash is small to what prisoners control inside. Let not go deeper to avoid name calling it depends on the prison u went undercover. Was raised by father a prison officer and same as mother. Your eight days undercover and 30yrs work experience are not equal.