Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) confirmed that at least, 119 inmates escaped from the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre Wednesday night.
The escape was linked to torrential downpours that wreaked havoc on the facility.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Capital Territory Command of the NCoS, Sampson Duza, 10 of the inmates have been arrested and brought back to the facility.
Duza explained that on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, a prolonged period of intense rain fell for several hours, causing extensive damage to the Medium Security Custodial Centres in Suleja, Niger State, and neighbouring structures. As a result, a portion of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, was destroyed, allowing 119 inmates to escape.
“The Service has immediately activated its recapturing mechanisms, and in conjunction with sister security agencies have so far recaptured 10 fleeing inmates and taken them into custody, while we are in hot chase to recapture the rest.
“The Service is not unmindful of the fact that many of its facilities were built during the colonial era and that they are old and weak.
“The Service is making frantic efforts to see that all ageing facilities give way for modern ones. This is evidenced in the ongoing construction of six (6) number of 3000-capacity ultra-modern custodial centres in all the geo-political zones in Nigeria as well as the ongoing reconstruction and renovation of existing ones.
“The Service wishes to assure the public that it is on top of the situation and that they should go about their businesses without fear or hindrance. The public is further enjoined to look out for the fleeing inmates and report any suspicious movement to the nearest security agency,” Duza explained.
