Prisoners Set Buildings Ablaze To Remind Governor Of Release Pledge

JOS, Oct 08, (THEWILL) - Inmates of Bauchi Federal Prison on Thursday set structures within the prison ablaze to remind Governor Isa Yuguda of his promise to release them.

The prisoners started the bonfire at about 6.pm local time.

The state governor was said to have promised to release 29 prisoners for not breaking the law when they stayed back in prison during the last Boko Haram attack at the facility which facilitated a jailbreak for many prisoners.

THEWILL gathered that governor Yuguda however reneged on the promise when he ordered the release of only two prisoners using his prerogative of mercy privilege during Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration and has not said anything about the fate of 27 others.

Bauchi Prison sources said the prisoners felt the governor must have forgotten about the pledge he made which prompted the plot to set several prison buildings on fire as a reminder to the Yuguda.

THEWILL gathered that the prisoners used clothes, logs and other items to start the fire which razed three blocks of classrooms, the training school and a store.

Confirming the incident, state's Commissioner of Information, Alhaji Tasiu Mohammed told THEWILL that the protest was led by a particular prisoner who felt aggrieved. He did not name the inmate in question.

Roads leading to the prison have been barricaded while more security personnel have been drafted to the facility.