The Nigerian Correctional Service on Sunday, announced that it has contacted multiple security agencies, including the Nigerian Immigration Service and the Nigeria Police Force, to assist in recapturing the escaped inmates from Maiduguri correctional facility in Borno State.
According to The PUNCH, approximately 281 inmates have escaped from the Maiduguri Medium Security Custodial Centre following a devastating flood that struck Maiduguri last Tuesday.
Speaking on the recapturing, NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar, said, “Every security agency in the country has been notified and they are on alert to help track down the fleeing inmates wherever they may be. With their help, we will capture them and return them back to our custodial centre.”
In a statement released on Sunday, Abubakar noted that while seven of the 281 fleeing inmates had already been recaptured and returned to the facility, efforts were ongoing to locate the remaining individuals.
The flooding, which severely impacted Maiduguri and its surroundings, caused significant damage to the correctional facility, including the destruction of its walls and staff quarters.
“The Nigerian Correctional Service has observed the flooding currently being experienced in Maiduguri, Borno State, and its environment. The unfortunate incident has left scars, bringing down the walls of the correctional facilities, including the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Maiduguri as well as the staff quarters in the city,” the statement detailed. “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. Presently, 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.”
Abubakar also highlighted that the details and biometrics of the missing inmates have been made available to the public to assist in their capture. “The service is working in synergy with other security agencies as both covert and overt deployments have been activated to locate them. While this effort is ongoing, the public is assured that the incident does not impede or affect public safety,” the statement added.
The flood, which has displaced over 300,000 residents and resulted in more than 30 deaths, has also prompted the Nigerian Air Force to step in.
The Air Force has initiated relief efforts by transporting essential supplies to Maiduguri. As of September 14, 2024, the NAF began airlifting relief materials, including 300 bags of rice, using a C-130 Hercules aircraft.
The materials were handed over to the Commissioner for Inter-Governmental and Special Duties, Alhaji Tukur Ibrahim, and the Comptroller of the Nigerian Customs Service, MD Malah, before being distributed to flood victims.
In addition to the material aid, the Nigerian Air Force has launched a medical outreach program to support the displaced individuals, offering crucial medical services, food, and water to alleviate the disaster’s impact.
This relief operation, directed by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal H.B. Abubakar, will continue as long as needed to ensure that aid reaches those affected by the flooding.
