119 inmates from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State escaped, due to heavy rain damaging the facility. Ten inmates have been recaptured, and efforts are underway to locate the others.

Yesterday, no fewer than 119 inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, due to heavy rain that destroyed the facility.

A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Adamu Duza, confirmed that at least 10 of the escapees have been recaptured through the immediate activation of the recapture mechanism in collaboration with sister security agencies.

The extensive damage caused by a heavy rainstorm, which lasted several hours, included destruction to the facility and surrounding buildings, resulting in the escape of the inmates.

The agency immediately activated its recapture mechanisms and, working with sister security agencies, has so far recaptured and taken into custody ten fleeing detainees, while we are on the hunt to recapture the rest,” Duza said.

He explained that the heavy rains that caused extensive damage to the prison, which was built during the colonial era, lasted for several hours, forcing it to make way for the prisoners to escape.

“The Service is aware that many of its facilities were built during the colonial era and that they are old and weak.

“The Department is making concerted efforts to ensure that all outdated facilities make way for modern facilities. This is evidenced by the ongoing construction of six (6) state-of-the-art prisons with a capacity of 3,000 across all geopolitical zones in Nigeria, as well as the ongoing reconstruction and renovation of existing ones.

The Department assures the public that they are effectively managing the situation and encourages them to continue their activities without fear or obstruction. Furthermore, the public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity regarding the escaped prisoners to the nearest security agency.