Aregbesola connects frequent jailbreaks to climate change.

It has nothing to do with technology, and Mr. Aregbesola speculated that it might even be related to climate change.

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The recurrent attacks on Nigerian correctional facilities may be related to climate change and the “world crisis,” according to Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola.

Mr. Aregbesola made the remarks during the 64th State House Ministerial Briefing, which was held on Thursday at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja by the Presidential Communications Team.

At the event, the minister was asked what was responsible for a number of prison breaks in the country, including the recent attack on the Kuje correctional center.

Responding, he said, “It is the season; I know you don’t want to hear it.” Have we had what we are having in Nigeria today before? “It is the season, and it’s global.”

“Why are we having assassinations in America?” As bad as it is, it is horrible, but in America, people get killed every second. In the last week in America, 20 people have been killed in California.

Have you ever wondered why? “It has nothing to do with technology; it could even be linked to climate change,” he said.
Mr. Aregbesola stated that some people resort to criminal activities when they cannot manage their stability in the face of hardship, scarcity, and insecurity. He noted that the global tension that trailed the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the crisis across the world.

“Let’s not look at COVID-19 alone—the remaining 120 days on and off—don’t you think that those things will have an impact on society?” he said. “And in any case, how to assess a government is this: What did you not do?”

On July 5, 2022, armed terrorists invaded the Kuje Correctional Center, a prison in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. After hours of firing, over 400 inmates escaped.

On Thursday, the minister said his ministry had foiled another jailbreak attempt at the Kuje facility, even though he did not provide details of that.

He said those who recently tried to attack the Kuje prison were sent “back to their makers.”

“As of today, there’s not a single inmate in our facilities that is not captured biometrically, and that is the best we can do,” he said. “We’re still working on DNA, which is another way of identifying them; we have met with all agencies and institutions that can use biometrics.” The most effective agency at capturing them is still the police force. “They are doing wonderfully well.”

Mr. Aregbesola said his ministry is doing its best to prevent attacks on correctional facilities.

“Just take it; it is no longer the long game as usual,” he said. “We are equipping our men to be able to defend those facilities on their own.” And those sister agencies are equally increasing their capacity to protect and defend our facilities. And we’re improving the design of our facilities to make them almost impregnable.”