The Nigeria Police Force has announced the re-arrest of a 24-year-old inmate, Auwalu Aminu, who escaped from Maiduguri’s Medium Security Custodial Centre in Borno State after its walls collapsed due to flooding in September.
According to police spokesperson Nahum Kenneth Daso, Aminu, who had been serving time for criminal conspiracy and theft, was detained following a tip-off that led officers to his location in Banki town.
In an official statement, the police confirmed that a surveillance team from the Bama Area Command and Banki Divisional headquarters acted swiftly on information about Aminu’s whereabouts, ultimately arresting him on October 16.
Police Commissioner Mohammed Lawal Yusufu led the operation, with assurances that Aminu will be handed over to the Nigerian Correctional Service for further action.
The statement reads: “The Borno State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police CP Mohammed Lawal Yusufu, has successfully re-arrested another escaped convict one Auwalu Aminu (aka Auwalu Kirkir), 24 years old.
“Auwalu Aminu who was serving a jail term for criminal conspiracy and theft at the Medium Security Custodian Center in Maiduguri. Unfortunately escaped due to the devastating flood incident in September 2024, which collapsed the fence of the facility.
“On October 16, 2024, police surveillance at Bama Area Command/Banki Divisional headquarters received a credible tip-off that Auwalu Kirkir was sighted in Banki town. The police patrol swiftly responded and apprehended the said Awalu Aminu.
“The convict has been profiled and will be handed over to the Nigeria Correctional Service for further action.”
News About Nigeria reports that this arrest follows a massive breakout during September’s severe floods, which compromised the prison walls and led to the escape of 281 inmates, as confirmed by Nigerian Correctional Service spokesperson Umar Abubakar.
Since then, seven other fugitives have reportedly been recaptured. The police continue to urge citizens to report suspicious activities or any sighting of fugitives via their dedicated contact lines.
