The Nigerian Correctional Service, NCoS, has announced that 274 inmates are unaccounted for after severe flooding caused the walls of the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Maiduguri, Borno State, to collapse.
The devastating news was revealed by NCoS spokesman Umar Abubakar in a statement issued on Sunday.
Abubakar disclosed that the catastrophic floods, triggered by the collapse of the Alau Dam after intense rainfall, have submerged large areas of Maiduguri.
The disaster has displaced over a million residents and claimed at least 30 lives, making it the worst flood in the region in 30 years.
The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has been leading rescue operations, successfully saving over 400 individuals trapped by the rising waters.
The extent of the damage has led to widespread disruption, with many residents now relying on canoes for evacuation as they navigate the submerged streets.
The floods have not only overwhelmed the city but also raised urgent concerns about the safety and well-being of those affected.
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Abubakar stated that as the search for the missing inmates continues, the NCoS and other relevant authorities are working diligently to address the crisis and provide necessary support to the affected population.
The NCoS has also assured that it has the details of the fleeing inmates, including their biometrics, and is working with other security agencies to track them down.
He said covert and overt deployments have been activated to locate the missing inmates, stressing that the service is working in synergy with other security agencies to ensure their recapture.
He said: “The unfortunate incident has left scars, bringing down the walls of the correctional facilities, including the Medium Security Custodial Centre Maiduguri (MSCC) and 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.
“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,” the NCoS spokesman said.
“While this effort is on, the public is assured that the incident does not impede or affect public safety.”
