Elizabeth O.
In a recent incident, over 100 inmates have escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, Aso Naija Reports.
The prison experienced severe damage due to heavy downpour that occurred on Wednesday night, resulting in parts of the facility being destroyed.
Adamu Duza, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), issued a statement on Thursday morning, confirming the situation.
He stated, “Following a prolonged heavy downpour on the night of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, as well as surrounding structures, suffered significant damage.
This led to the escape of a total of 118 inmates, as the custodial facility and its perimeter fence were destroyed.”
Duza emphasized that immediate measures were taken by the NCoS to initiate the recapture process.
Collaborating with other security agencies, they managed to apprehend 10 fleeing inmates and bring them back into custody.
The authorities are currently engaged in an active pursuit to recapture the remaining escapees.
He further acknowledged that many correctional facilities in the country were constructed during the colonial era, making them old and structurally weak.
However, the NCoS is dedicated to modernizing these facilities and replacing aging structures.
Duza highlighted ongoing initiatives such as the construction of six state-of-the-art custodial centers with a capacity of 3000 each, distributed across all geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
Additionally, existing facilities are undergoing reconstruction and renovation.
Duza assured the public that the situation is under control and urged them to continue their daily activities without fear or disruption.
He also urged citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious movements or sightings of the escaped inmates to the nearest security agency.
This incident serves as a reminder of the pressing need to strengthen Nigeria’s correctional infrastructure and ensure the safety of both inmates and the general public.
