Inmates and Prison officials were on Friday thrown into panic and confusion as a section of the Kuje Prison went in flames.

The fire which lasted for over 15 minutes gutted a clinic section of the prison after officers of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) on duty struggled to put it out with several fire extinguishers.

A source who claimed to be an eyewitness could not confirm what caused the fire and the extent of damage done but confirmed that no life was lost.

Prison

Reacting to the incident, the NPS, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Command Public Relations Officer, Humphrey Chukwuedo, who confirmed the fire outbreak, told newsmen that investigation was on to reveal the cause of the fire.

Chukwuedo said: “It actually occurred at about 4pm yesterday. Investigation is still on to ascertain the cause of the fire. But the fire has been put off. No life was lost and no property was destroyed.

“Our men were proactive to put off the fire. It will also interest you to know that no prisoner was on admission or receiving treatment at the time. We have locked up all prisoners and they were already in their cells.

“This was actually what happened. And normalcy has returned to the prison.”