The Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger state, faced a dire situation as heavy rains pounded the facility, resulting in the escape of 119 inmates.
The downpour, which lasted for hours on Wednesday night, inflicted severe damage on the prison, including the destruction of parts of its perimeter fence.
Adamu Duza, spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory FCT Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), confirmed the incident, stating the urgent efforts underway to recapture the escapees. Despite swift activation of recapture mechanisms and collaboration with other security agencies, only 10 inmates have been successfully apprehended thus far.
Duza acknowledged the antiquated state of many correctional facilities, a legacy of the colonial era, underscoring ongoing initiatives to replace outdated infrastructure with modern alternatives. Presently, construction of six 3000-capacity ultra-modern custodial centers across Nigeria is in progress, alongside renovation projects for existing facilities.
While urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, Duza stated the NCoS’s commitment to addressing the situation swiftly
