By Abiola Olawale
There was palpable fear in Niger state following reports that over 118 inmates broke out of the state’s Correctional Facility.
It was gathered that the development came after a heavy rainstorm destroyed some sections of the facility, helping the inmates to break out of jail.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has also confirmed the escape of 118 inmates from the Medium Security Custodial Centres in Suleja, Niger State.
In a statement issued by NCoS FCT Command’s spokesperson, DSC A.S. Duza, on Thursday morning, the Service said the escape occurred following a rainstorm, which destroyed parts of the facility’s structures on Wednesday night.
Duza noted that many of NCoS facilities were built during the colonial era and that they are old and weak, adding that the Service was making frantic efforts to see that all ageing facilities give way for modern ones with the ongoing construction of six 3000-capacity ultra-modern custodial centres in all the geo-political zones of the country as well as the ongoing reconstruction and renovation of existing ones.
Duza in the statement also confirmed that 10 out of the 118 fleeing inmates have been recaptured, adding that the service is working with other security agents to recapture the others.
He also assured that the security agents are on top of the situation, urging members of the public to go about their normal businesses without fear or hindrance.
The statement reads: “A heavy downpour that lasted for several hours on the night of Wednesday, 24 April 2024 has wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centres, Suleja, Niger state, as well as surrounding buildings, destroying part of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, giving way to the escape of a total of one hundred and eighteen (119) inmates of the facility.
“The Service has immediately activated its recapturing mechanisms, and in conjunction with sister security agencies have so far recaptured 10 fleeing inmates and taken them into custody, while we are in hot chase 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 see that all ageing facilities give way for modern ones. This is evidenced in the ongoing construction of six (6) number of 3000-capacity ultra-modern custodial centres in all the geo-political zones in Nigeria as well as the ongoing reconstruction and renovation of existing ones.
“The Service wishes to assure the public that it is on top of the situation and that they should go about their businesses without fear or hindrance. The public is further enjoined to look out for the fleeing inmates and report any suspicious movement to the nearest security agency,” FCT Command’s spokesperson stated.
