Severe flooding in Maiduguri caused the escape of 281 inmates from a correctional facility. Seven have been recaptured as authorities work with security agencies to locate the others. The Nigerian Correctional Service reassures the public that safety remains a priority during this incident.
In a startling incident, severe flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State, led to the escape of 281 inmates from the Medium Security Custodial Centre. The flooding, which occurred on September 10, 2024, caused significant damage to public infrastructure, including the correctional facility's walls.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) confirmed the incident and reported that, as of Sunday, seven inmates have been recaptured. Umar Abubakar, the Public Relations Officer of the NCS, stated that the walls of the facility were compromised, necessitating the evacuation of inmates to a secure location.
During the evacuation, it became evident that 281 inmates were unaccounted for. The NCS has assured the public that it possesses comprehensive details about the escapees, including biometric data, and is actively working with various security agencies to recapture them.
Photographs of the escaped inmates have been circulated to aid in their apprehension. Abubakar emphasized that despite the incident, public safety remains a priority. "While we are actively pursuing the remaining escapees, we assure the public that this situation does not jeopardize their safety," he stated. The NCS continues to mobilize both covert and overt security operations to track down the remaining inmates.
