The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that 274 inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Maiduguri following severe flooding that led to the collapse of the prison's walls.
Umar Abubakar, the NCoS spokesman, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, explaining that the devastating floods were triggered by the collapse of the Alau Dam after heavy rains. The floods, which have been described as the worst in the region in 30 years, submerged large parts of Maiduguri, displacing over a million people and claiming at least 30 lives.
In addition to the prison, the floods caused widespread damage to homes and infrastructure across the city. Many residents have been forced to use canoes for evacuation as the water levels continue to rise, and emergency services, led by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), have rescued more than 400 individuals trapped by the floodwaters.
In the chaos following the collapse of the prison walls, NCoS officers, with the help of other security agencies, managed to evacuate inmates to safer locations. However, 281 prisoners were reported missing during the process. As of now, seven inmates have been recaptured, while efforts are underway to track down the remaining escapees.
"The service has all the fleeing inmates’ details, including their biometrics, and is working closely with other security agencies to ensure they are returned to custody," Abubakar assured the public. He added that both covert and overt operations have been activated to locate the inmates.
Despite the mass escape, Abubakar emphasized that the incident does not pose a threat to public safety, as authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to manage the situation.
The flooding has caused widespread panic and disruption, with city officials scrambling to restore order amid one of the worst natural disasters to hit the region in decades.
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