THE Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that 281 inmates are missing from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Maiduguri, the Borno State capital following severe flooding that hit the region last week.
The NCoS made this known in a statement released by its spokesman, Umar Abubakar on Sunday, September 15, noting that only seven inmates were returned to the centre.
The flooding, which affected various parts of Maiduguri, was said to have inundated the correctional facility, leading to the collapse of sections, including the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Maiduguri (MSCC), as well as the staff quarters in the city.
The security agency noted that, in the aftermath of the disaster, it discovered that 281 prisoners escaped during the evacuation process.
“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, Maiduguri (MSCC), as well as the staff quarters in the City.
“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,” the statement added.
The service in its statement, also released the details of the inmates, including their biometrics.
It further assured that it’s working with other security agencies to locate and recapture those who fled.
“The service is working in synergy with other security agencies as both covert and overt deployments have been activated to look out for them.
“Presently, a total of seven inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody, while efforts are on ground to track down the rest and bring them back to safe custody.”
The NCoS, therefore, assured that the incidence does not impede or affect public safety.
The flooding, caused by the overflow of the Alau Dam following heavy rains, has affected about a million people in the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere Local Government Areas (LGAs), according to the state governor Babagana Zulum.
The ICIR reports that the flood which ravaged parts of Borno State displaced residents and destroyed their homes while also displacing animals from the zoo.
Meanwhile, the escape of the 273 inmates from the Borno prison has sparked mixed reactions among Nigeria.
Many feared that the escape of such a large number of prisoners could lead to an increase in criminal activities, especially in a region already grappling with insecurity.
Some also raised questions about the standard of the correctional facility, and called for better preparedness to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: [email protected]. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M