The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) announced on Sunday that over 281 inmates are still at large after they escaped from the Maiduguri Medium Security Custodial Centre following severe flooding in the capital of Borno state last Tuesday.
Umar Abubakar, NCoS spokesperson, however, told reporters that the agency had alerted the Nigerian Immigration Service and Nigeria Police Force, among other security agencies, to help recapture the fleeing inmates.
“Every security agency in the country has been notified, and they are on alert to help track down the fleeing inmates wherever they may be. With their help, we will capture them and return them back to our custodial centre,” Umar said.
In a statement on Sunday, Abubakar stated that of the 281 fleeing inmates, seven had already been recaptured and returned to the facility.
“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 in Maiduguri 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. Presently, a total of seven inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody, while efforts are on the ground to track down the rest and bring them back to safe custody,” the statement read in part.
Abubakar further mentioned that details of the fleeing inmates had been made available to the public, while noting that efforts were underway to track them.
“However, it is important to note that the service is in custody of their details, including their biometrics, which are being made available to the public. The service is working in synergy with other security agencies, as both covert and overt deployments have been activated to locate them. While this effort is ongoing, the public is assured that the incident does not impede or affect public safety,” the statement added.
The flood ravaged various parts of Borno State, displacing over 300,000 residents and killing over 30 individuals, including children. Meanwhile, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum expressed concern on Saturday that detained Boko Haram terrorists may have escaped from the prison complex.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has begun transporting relief items to flood victims in Maiduguri, Borno State, after at least 414,000 people were displaced and 30 died as a result of severe flooding.
The relief effort, which falls under the NAF’s statutory mandate of giving military aid to civil authorities, entails airlifting items given by the Nigerian Customs Service.
Group Captain Kabiru Ali, the Nigerian Air Force’s Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, stated that the operation began on September 14, 2024.
He said, “The airlift missions, which commenced on 14 September 2024, had the first batch of the relief items, comprising 300 bags of 50 kg rice, successfully delivered to NAF Base Maiduguri via the NAF C-130 Hercules aircraft.
“The air component commander, Air Commodore UU Idris, received the materials and handed them over to the commissioner for inter-governmental and special duties, Alhaji Tukur Ibrahim, who was accompanied by the commissioner of the Nigerian Customs Service, MD Malah.
“Additionally, heavy-duty trucks provided by the NAF were used to transport the materials to the Borno State Government House for onwards distribution.”
