The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has declared 281 inmates missing from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State during the recent flood as a result of the collapse of the Alau Dam. This was made known on Sunday in a statement issued by the Spokesperson of NCoS, Umar Abubakar, adding that the Service has the details of the escaped inmates including their biometrics, which is being made available to the public.
He said, “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, 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. The service is working in synergy with other security agencies as both covert and overt deployments have been activated to look out for them.
“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.
“While this effort is on, the public is assured that the incident does not impede or affect public safety.”
Members of the public are encouraged to notify the nearest security agency or call +2347087086005, +2349060004598 or +2348075050006 if they have any available information to assist in recapturing any of the escaped prisoners.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) stated that more than 23,000 households have been affected by the rapid rise of water as a result of the weekend rupture of the Alau Dam on the Ngadda River, 20km south of Maiduguri.
The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum claimed the dam had not been maintained for a long time, causing the worst flooding ever experienced by the state in the last 30 years.
Governor Zulum also expressed concerns that terrorists are among the escaped convicts.