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-WfybHHA2t9.jpg "Niger Prison")
Not fewer than 118 inmates escaped the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, following heavy downpour which wreck the facility and facilitated the escape.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the spokesperson, Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Adamu Duza, on Thursday.
Duza noted that the downpour caused severe damage to the custodial centre’s infrastructure, which allowed the inmates to flee.
While efforts are said to be ongoing on to capture the fleeing inmates, the NCoS said, they command had deployed a swiftly and activated move which aid the recovery of 10 escaped inmates.
The statement read in part, “A heavy downpour that lasted for several hours on the night of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, has wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centres, Suleja, Niger state, as well as surrounding buildings, destroying parts of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, giving way to the escape of 118 inmates of the facility.
“The service has immediately activated its recapturing mechanisms, and in conjunction with sister security agencies, has so far recaptured 10 fleeing inmates and taken them into custody, while we are in hot pursuit 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 ensure that all aging facilities give way to modern ones.”
“The Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Francis John, wishes to assure the public that the service is on top of the situation and that they should go about their normal businesses without fear or hindrance,” the statement added.
