No fewer than 119 inmates of the medium security prison in Suleja, Niger State, have escaped due to hours of heavy rainfall that wreaked havoc on parts of the facility yesterday.
Adamu Duza, the spokesman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), disclosed this development in Abuja yesterday.
He stated, “A prolonged heavy downpour on the night of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, severely damaged the Medium Security Prison in Suleja, Niger State, as well as surrounding structures. This resulted in the destruction of sections of the facility, including its perimeter fence, leading to the escape of a total of 119 inmates.”
Duza further informed that the NPS promptly activated its recapture procedures and, in collaboration with other security agencies, successfully apprehended 13 escaped inmates, who have been placed back in custody. Efforts are ongoing to recapture the remaining fugitives.
Acknowledging the age and vulnerability of many prison facilities, particularly those dating back to the colonial era, Duza emphasized the Service’s commitment to replacing outdated structures with modern ones. He cited the ongoing construction of six ultra-modern custodial centers, each with a capacity of 3000, across all geopolitical zones in Nigeria, along with ongoing renovations of existing facilities.
“The Service reassures the public of its control over the situation, urging citizens to continue their daily activities without fear or disruption. Furthermore, the public is encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or sightings of the fleeing inmates to the nearest security agency,” Duza concluded.
