281 inmates have reportedly escaped from the Correctional Centre in Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital. This was the aftermath of the severe flooding that ravaged the state last week, while seven inmates had been recaptured.
The Nigerian Correctional Service, while confirming the number of escaped inmates on Sunday, September 15, 2024, revealed that about seven of them have so far been recaptured and returned to custody.
The statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Service, Umar Abubakar, said the flooding which occurred on Tuesday, brought down the walls of the correctional facilities, including the Medium Security Custodial Centre Maiduguri (MSCC) and the staff quarters in the city.
Abubakar stated that upon the evacuation of inmates by officers of the Service with support from sister security agencies to a safe and secure facility, it was discovered that 281 inmates were missing.
However, he explained that the Service has the details of the escapees which include their biometrics, stressing that it is being made available to the public. The pictures of the fleeing prisoners were also made available.
“The Service is working in synergy with other security agencies as both covert and overt deployments have been activated to look out for them.
“Presently, a total of seven (7) inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody, while efforts are on the ground to track down the rest and bring them back to safe custody.
“While this effort is on, the public is assured that the incident does not impede or affect public safety”, the statement added.
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