A devastating heavy rainstorm on Wednesday night led to the escape of 118 inmates from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, North-Central Nigeria, as critical parts of the facility were damaged.
The disclosure was made through a press statement by Adamu Duza, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, on Thursday.
The statement outlined that the rainfall caused extensive damage to the prison’s infrastructure, including breaching the perimeter fence, facilitating the escape of the inmates.
Despite efforts by correctional services officers to recapture the escapees, only 10 were successfully apprehended.
“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.
“The service is not unmindful of the fact that many of its facilities were built during the colonial era and that they are old and weak. The Service is making frantic efforts to ensure that all aging facilities give way to modern ones.”
Francis John, the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, assured the public that the service is effectively handling the situation and urged them to continue with their normal activities without fear or hindrance.
