Borno flood: 274 inmates escaped from Maiduguri prison – NCoS

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, Borno State. 

The spokesman of NCoS, Umar Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday, September 15, 2024. 

The devastating flooding caused by the collapse of the Alau Dam after a heavy rainfall, has submerged large parts of Maiduguri, displacing over a million people. 

At least 30 people have d1ed with d!ath likely to rise as authorities scramble to rescue thousands of people trapped in their homes and other areas. 

“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,” Abubakar stated. 

“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.