Prisoners escape as flood disaster worsens in Maiduguri (pictures, videos)

September 10, 2024

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Prisoners escape as flood disaster worsens in Maiduguri (pictures, videos)

The Alau Dam predicament has continued to devastate Maiduguri metropolis, the Borno State capital, leading to a prison break on Tuesday with an unconfirmed number of inmates escaping from the city’s custodial facility.

The rising waters damaged the prison, breaching security barriers and weakening the structure, allowing inmates to flee.

Authorities have confirmed that the escapees are highly dangerous and may be armed, posing a heightened risk to public safety in the region already affected by insurgency.

Authorities said a manhunt is currently underway, with law enforcement agencies mobilising additional resources to recapture the inmates.

Neptune Prime reports that the entire city of Maiduguri has been overtaken by water following the breakdown of the overflooded Alau Dam.

The disaster has displaced many residents, submerging residential quarters, roads, bridges, zoo and cemetery, making many areas in the metropolis inaccessible.

Other strategic areas flooded include parts of the Shehu of Borno Palace, Maiduguri Central Market and University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.