On Wednesday night, 119 prisoners broke out from the medium security Suleja custodial center.
The incident was confirmed by the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCOS), who also stated that efforts were on top gear to arrest them.
The facility was severely damaged by the intense downpour, which was connected to the escape.
Sampson Duza, Public Relations Officer of the Federal Capital Territory Command of the NCOS reported that ten of the prisoners had been taken into custody and returned to the facility.
According to Duza, “A heavy downpour that lasted for several hours on the night of Wednesday, 24 April 2024 has wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centres, Suleja, Niger state, as well as surrounding buildings, destroying part of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, giving way to the escape of a total of one hundred and nineteen (119) inmates of the facility”.
“The Service promptly triggered its recapturing procedures, and together with sister security agencies, we have so far apprehended and detained 10 escaping prisoners. We are actively pursuing the remaining ones”.
The Service is aware of the age and fragility of many of its facilities, many of which date back to the colonial era.
The Service is working nonstop to ensure that all outdated facilities make way for ones that are more modern. This is demonstrated by the six (6) ultra-modern custodial facilities with a 3000-capacity currently under construction in each of Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, in addition to the ongoing rehabilitation and reconstruction of the ones that already exist.
“The public should proceed about their business without fear or interference, as the Service wants to reassure them that it is in control of the situation. Additionally, the public is urged to keep an eye out for the fleeing inmates and report any suspicious activity to the nearest security agency”.
