118 Inmates Escape As Heavy Rainfall Destroys Walls Of Suleja Prison In Niger

The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has announced that 118 inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger state, during heavy rainfall on Wednesday.

The spokesperson for the federal capital territory (FCT) command of the NCoS, Adamu Duza disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

Adamu Duza said that the rainfall caused significant damage to parts of the prison, including its perimeter fence.

He stated that 10 of the escaped inmates have been apprehended through the collaborative efforts of the command and other security agencies.

Duza expressed concerns over the aging infrastructure of the facility, noting that the walls were constructed during the colonial era.

“A heavy downpour that lasted for several hours on the night of Wednesday, 24 April 2024 has wreaked havoc on the medium security custodial centre, 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 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 statement reads.

Francis John, controller of corrections, FCT command, assured the public that normal activities should continue while efforts are underway to address the situation.

KanyiDaily had also reported how an unspecific number of inmates escaped detention during an attack by unknown gunmen at the correctional facility in Abolongo, Oyo Town.