Prison break in Borno amid severe flooding

An unconfirmed number of inmates have reportedly escaped from the Maiduguri Correctional Centre in Borno State, following severe flooding in the state on Tuesday.

According to Leadership, the flood led to serious damage to the prison facility, as rising waters breached security barriers and weakened structural supports, allowing inmates to escape from their confinement.

It was reported that the prison authorities have confirmed that the escapees are considered very dangerous and may be armed.

It was also gathered that a search is underway to locate and recapture the escaped inmates.

A similar incident occurred in April 2024, when at least 118 inmates escaped from prison after heavy rain damaged the facility in Suleja, close to Abuja.

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The heavy downpour, which lasted for hours, destroyed parts of the medium-security prison, including the perimeter wall and surrounding buildings.

Service agents went after the escaped inmates and recaptured 10 of them with the help of other security agencies.

Also, in 2022, over 400 prisoners broke out after an attack on an Abuja-based prison, which led to the death of four inmates, a security guard, and multiple assailants.

The 2022 attack was claimed by Islamist fighters, who aimed to release incarcerated members.

Since 2020, it is reported that more than 5,000 inmates have escaped during various prison breaks in Nigeria.