Rainstorm damages Niger prison as 118 inmates escape

No fewer than 118 inmates of the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, have escaped, reports Persecondnews.

Their escape was facilitated by the damage to the facility during Wednesday night’s downpour, according to Mr. Adamu Duza, the Federal Capital Territory Command’s spokesman for the Correctional Service.

Duza said in a statement obtained by Persecondnews that the heavy rain severely damaged the infrastructure of the detention facility, including a break in the perimeter fence that let the prisoners escape.

As a result, the NCoS moved quickly to initiate its recapturing procedures, working with other security organisations to retrieve 10 of the escapees.

He said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the remaining escaping prisoners.

While noting the vulnerability of aging prison facilities, many of which were built during the colonial era, Duza acknowledged that the NCoS was committed to modernising its infrastructure.

The statement said the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Francis John, assured the public that the situation was under control and urged them to carry on with their daily activities without fear.

It urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or sightings of escaped inmates to the nearest security agency.

“A heavy downpour that lasted for several hours on the night of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, has wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centres, Suleja, Niger state, as well as surrounding buildings, destroying parts of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, giving way to the escape 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 Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Francis John, wishes to assure the public that the service is on top of the situation and that they should go about their normal businesses without fear or hindrance,” the command said.