281 inmates escape from prison after Borno flood – NCS

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) has announced that 281 inmates are missing from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Maiduguri, Borno State.

NCS spokesman, Umar Abubakar, said in a statement on Sunday that this followed an evacuation process in the aftermath of the state’s flood incident.

Abubakar stated that the service had evacuated the inmates to a safe facility, but 281 were found to be missing during the process.

“The Nigerian Correctional Service has observed the flooding currently being experienced in Maiduguri, Borno State, and its environment,” Abubakar said.

“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.”

Abubakar added that the service is in the custody of the missing inmate’s details, including their biometrics, which are being made available to the public below.

The service, according to Abubakar, is working in synergy with other security agencies, as both covert and overt deployments have been activated to look out for them.

He, however, assured the public that the incident does not pose a threat to public safety and that efforts are ongoing to ensure the missing inmates are brought back into custody.

“Presently, a total of seven inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody, while efforts are on ground to track down the rest and bring them back to safe custody. While this effort is on, the public is assured that the incidence does not impede or affect public safety,” he added.