The Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, sustained significant damage from Wednesday night’s downpour, which also made it easier for 118 prisoners to escape.
This was revealed in a statement released on Thursday and signed by Adamu Duza, the Federal Capital Territory Command spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Duza reported that the heavy rain severely damaged the infrastructure of the detention facility, including a break in the perimeter fence that let the prisoners escape.
As a result, the NCoS moved quickly to initiate its recapturing procedures, working with other security organisations to retrieve ten of the fugitive prisoners.
Efforts to recapture the remaining fleeing inmates are said to be ongoing.
Recognising the vulnerability of aging facilities, many of which were built during the colonial era, Duza acknowledged that the NCoS was committed to modernising its infrastructure.
The statement further noted that the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Francis John, assured the public that the situation was under control and urged them to carry on with their daily activities without fear.
The public was encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or sightings of escaped inmates to the nearest security agency.
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.
