Severe rainfall on Wednesday night caused parts of the Suleja Correctional Facility in Niger State to be destroyed, resulting in the escape of several inmates.
The Nigeria Correctional Service, specifically the FCT Command, made this revelation through a statement by its spokesperson, Adamu Duza, on Thursday morning.
Describing the incident, Duza stated, “A heavy downpour throughout the night of Wednesday, 24th April 2024, severely affected the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State. This led to significant damage to the facility, including the perimeter fence, allowing a total of 118 inmates to escape.”
The Service promptly activated its protocols to recapture the fleeing inmates, collaborating with other security agencies. So far, 10 of the escaped inmates have been captured and detained, while efforts continue to apprehend the remaining individuals.
Highlighting the challenges faced by the Service, Duza acknowledged that many of their facilities date back to the colonial era, making them vulnerable. He mentioned ongoing efforts to replace these aging structures with modern ones.
“This commitment is evident in the construction of six ultra-modern custodial centers, each with a capacity of 3000 inmates, spread across all geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Furthermore, renovations are underway for existing facilities,” he added.