Adamu Duza, the Spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, has announced that a total of 14 fleeing inmates have been recaptured from the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre in Niger State.
Duza revealed that a coordinated effort involving intelligence officers, armed squadron officers, and collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, DSS, and other security agencies has led to the successful recapture of 14 fleeing inmates so far.
He said that the search for the remaining escaped prisoners is ongoing.
News About Nigeria reported that no fewer than 118 inmates managed to escape from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, located in north-central Nigeria.
The escape was facilitated by a heavy rainstorm that wreaked havoc on the facility’s infrastructure.
In a statement on Thursday, 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 Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, visited the Suleja custodial centre to assess the aftermath of the severe downpour that caused significant damage to the facility.
During the inspection, Tunji-Ojo said there is an urgent need for reforms across the 240 custodial centres nationwide.
