25th April, 2024
The Nigeria Correctional Service, NCoS said it has begun a manhunt for 109 out of 119 inmates who took advantage of the collapse of the perimeter fence of Medium Security Custodial Centres, Suleja, Niger state to escape from custody during a downpour on Wednesday night.
The Service, in a statement by its spokesperson, AS Duza said the perimeter fence of the prison collapsed during heavy rainfall that lasted for several hours on Wednesday night.
The downpour, according to the NCS wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centres, Suleja as well as surrounding buildings, destroying part of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, giving way to the escape of the 119 inmates of the facility.
However Duza said while 10 of the inmates have been captured, it has set the machinery in motion to capture the other fleeing inmates.
“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,” the NCoS said.