On Wednesday night, no fewer than 118 inmates managed to escape from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, located in north-central Nigeria.
News About Nigeria reports that the escape was facilitated by a heavy rainstorm that wreaked havoc on the facility’s infrastructure.
The Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service confirmed the development through a press statement issued by its spokesperson, Adamu Duza, on Thursday.
According to the statement, the rainfall severely damaged several parts of the prison facility, including causing huge damage to the perimeter fence, which ultimately led to the inmates’ escape.
Efforts were made by correctional services officers to recapture the fleeing inmates.
However, despite their efforts, only 10 of the escaped inmates were successfully re-arrested.
The press statement read, “A heavy downpour that lasted for several hours on the night of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, has wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centres, Suleja, Niger State, as well as surrounding buildings, destroying parts of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, giving way to the escape of 118 inmates of the facility.”
The statement further stated, “The service has immediately activated its recapturing mechanisms and, in conjunction with sister security agencies, has so far recaptured 10 fleeing inmates and taken them into custody, while we are in hot pursuit to recapture the rest.”
Expressing concern over the state of the country’s correctional facilities, the statement said there are ongoing efforts to replace ageing infrastructure with modern facilities.
The Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Francis John, assured the public of the service’s commitment to addressing the situation and urged citizens to carry on with their daily activities without fear.
