Breaking: 119 inmates escape from Suleja Prisons

Following hours of intense rain on Wednesday night that partially damaged the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger state, 119 prisoners have managed to flee.

Spokesman for the Nigeria Correctional Service’s Federal Capital Territory Command (FCTCoS), Adamu Duza, revealed in a statement released on Thursday morning.

He said, “A heavy downpour that lasted for several hours on the night of Wednesday, 24 April 2024 has wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centre, 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 118 inmates of the facility”.

According to him, the Service instantly went into recapturing mode and, working with sister security organizations, was able to apprehend and hold 10 of the escaping detainees while actively pursuing the remaining ones.

Duza stated that the Service is making desperate attempts to ensure that all aging buildings make way for new ones, noting that the Service is cognizant of the fact that many of its facilities were constructed during the colonial era and are aging and feeble.

“This is evidenced in the ongoing construction of six 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”, Duza said.