By Damilare Adeleye
No fewer than 118 inmates have escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, as a heavy rainstorm destroyed some parts of the facility.
This was confirmed in a press statement issued by the spokesperson, Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Adamu Duza, on Thursday.
According to the statement, the rainfall severely damaged the prison facility’s infrastructure, including putting a hole in the perimeter fence that allowed the inmates to escape.
It was learned that the correctional services officers tried to recapture the inmates but they ended up re-arresting only 10 of them.
“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 statement reads.
It continues: “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.
