The All Progressives Congress on Saturday berated critics and opposition parties against politicising the invasion of Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja by terrorists, where over 600 inmates were set free.
The leadership of the party noted that taking advantage of terror attacks and violence against innocent Nigerians in the name of partisanship is an ill wind that will blow the country no good.
This was contained in a Sallah message issued on Saturday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, in Abuja.
Suspected terrorists had on Tuesday night attacked Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Abuja, where they freed 600 inmates.
Among the prison inmates who fled the facility were 15 Boko Haram commanders who masterminded the March 28 attack on the Kaduna-Abuja train, in which eight persons were killed and over 68 passengers kidnapped.
Hours after Kuje Prison was bombed, the dreaded Islamic State West Africa Province claimed responsibility for the attack in a 30-second video that captured some gunmen shooting their way into the facility and setting vehicles ablaze.
The well-coordinated invasion, which happened simultaneously with another offensive launched on the convoy of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) in Katsina shocked Nigerians and reverberated in the Western media.
Piqued by the development, the Peoples Democratic Party has accused the APC of complicity in the attack.
A statement released late Wednesday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, queried the alleged redeployment of soldiers “who had become familiar with the terrain” from the facility 24 hours before the attack.
The statement, which was titled ‘Terrorism: APC Complicit in Kuje Prison Attack – PDP Asserts…Queries Redeployment of Soldiers 24hrs Before Incidence’, partly read, “The Peoples Democratic Party condemns in the strongest possible term, the spate of insecurity and the audacity with which terrorists ravage our country unchallenged under the rudderless All Progressives Congress administration.”
Reacting to the attack in his Sallah message on Saturday, Morka absolved the APC of any wrongdoing in what he termed ‘insensitive and unpatriotic attempts by some partisans’ to politicise security breaches.
He said, “On this occasion of Eid-El-Kabir, we urge all Nigerians to place national interest first in all dealings. We must not yield to retrogressive elements who seek to divide us through terror and hate.
“We further urge Nigerians to continue to support and pray for the government of President Muhammadu Buhari as it tackles our national security challenges just as we continue to reject insensitive and unpatriotic attempts by some partisans to politicise security breaches by enemies of our land.”
The APC image maker also enjoined Muslim faithful to recommit themselves to Islamic teachings on understanding, tolerance and peaceful co-existence during the festive period.
“The APC felicitates Muslims on the occasion of the Eid-El-Kabir festival which requires sacrifice, submission and devotion to Allah.
“As we celebrate with family, friends and other loved ones, we will do well to be our brothers’ keeper by extending kindness to our neighbours, particularly the needy and less-privileged,” he stated.
