From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
There’s an uneasy calm in the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Suleja, Niger State following a jail break which led to the escape of over 119 inmates.
Consequently, the correction officers are mobilising to re-arrest the missing inmates.
But in statement, Deputy Superintendent of Corrections and Federal Capital Territory (FCT)
Command, Public Relations Officer,
AS Duza attributed the incident to
a heavy downpour that lasted for several hours on the night of Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
According to the Duza, the rain wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centres, Suleja, Niger State, as well as surrounding buildings, destroying parts of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, giving way to the escape of a total of 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 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 statement noted.