The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has disclosed that 274 inmates are missing after flooding brought down the walls of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, (MSCC) Maiduguri.
The spokesman of NCoS, Umar Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.
Recent flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State, has been devastating.
The floods, caused by the collapse of the Alau Dam after heavy rainfall, have submerged large parts of the city, displacing over a million people and resulting in at least 30 deaths.
This is the worst flooding the region has seen in 30 years.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has been actively involved in rescue operations, saving over 400 individuals trapped by the floodwaters.
The floods have also caused significant damage to infrastructure and homes, with many residents still stranded and relying on canoes for evacuation.
“The unfortunate incident has left scars, bringing down the walls of the correctional facilities, including the Medium Security Custodial Centre Maiduguri (MSCC) 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.
“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 NCoS spokesman said.
He, however, said the service was in the custody of the fleeing inmates’ details, including their biometrics.
Abubakar said the service is working in synergy with other security agencies as both covert and overt deployments had been activated to look out for them.
“While this effort is on, the public is assured that the incident does not impede or affect public safety,” he said.
