The Nigerian Correctional Service announced that it has reached out to several security agencies, including the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigeria Police Force, to assist in the recapture of inmates who escaped from the Maiduguri Medium Security Custodial Centre in Borno State.
Recall that over 281 inmates fled the facility following severe flooding in Maiduguri last Tuesday.
NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar stated, “We have notified every security agency in the country, and they are on high alert to help track down the escaped inmates. With their assistance, we are confident we will be able to capture them and return them to our facility.”
In a statement, Abubakar mentioned that seven of the escaped inmates have been recaptured and returned, while efforts continue to locate the others.
The flooding, which caused extensive damage to Maiduguri and its vicinity, also significantly impacted the correctional facility, damaging its walls and staff quarters.
“The Nigerian Correctional Service has observed the flooding currently being experienced in Maiduguri, Borno State, and its environment. The unfortunate incident has left scars, bringing down the walls of the correctional facilities, including the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Maiduguri as well as the staff quarters in the city,” the statement detailed. “Upon the evacuation of inmates by officers of the service, with support from sister security agencies to a safe and secure facility, 281 inmates were observed to be missing. Presently, a total of seven 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.”
Abubakar also highlighted that the details and biometrics of the missing inmates have been made available to the public to assist in their capture. “The service is working in synergy with other security agencies as both covert and overt deployments have been activated to locate them. While this effort is ongoing, the public is assured that the incident does not impede or affect public safety,” the statement added.
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