Flooding: 281 inmates escape from prison, 7 recaptured
In the wake of severe flooding in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, 281 inmates have escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC). So far, seven of the escapees have been recaptured, according to a statement issued by the Nigerian Correctional Service on Sunday.
The flooding, which occurred on Tuesday, damaged several public and private facilities, including the walls of the correctional centre, causing a breach in the prison’s security. The incident also affected the staff quarters.
Umar Abubakar, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, confirmed the number of escapees, revealing that officers, with support from other security agencies, had evacuated inmates to a safer location. However, it was later discovered that 281 inmates were missing from the facility.
READ ALSO: Prisoners escape as flood disaster worsens in Maiduguri (pictures, videos)
To aid in the recapture of the remaining escapees, the Service has shared the inmates’ details, including their biometrics, with the public. The images of the fleeing inmates were also circulated on Sunday to assist in identifying them.
“The Service is working closely with other security agencies, and both covert and overt operations have been deployed to track down the remaining escapees,” the statement added.
Despite the large number of escapees, Abubakar assured the public that efforts to recapture them are ongoing and that the incident does not pose a threat to public safety.
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