The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that 274 inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Maiduguri, Borno State, after the facility’s walls collapsed due to severe flooding.
In a statement released on Sunday, NCoS spokesman Umar Abubakar disclosed that the flooding was triggered by the collapse of the Alau Dam, following days of heavy rainfall. The devastating floods have submerged large parts of Maiduguri, displaced over a million people, and claimed at least 30 lives.
The disaster, described as the worst flood the region has seen in three decades, has wreaked havoc on infrastructure and homes. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has been leading rescue operations, saving more than 400 people trapped by the rising waters.
In response to the crisis, many residents have resorted to using canoes to navigate the flooded streets and evacuate to safer areas. Amid this chaos, concerns have escalated regarding the safety of both the displaced population and the escaped inmates.
Abubakar confirmed that seven of the 281 missing inmates have already been recaptured, and efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining escapees. He reassured the public that the service has full details, including biometric information, of all the fleeing inmates, and that authorities are working closely with other security agencies to bring the situation under control.
“The incident has severely impacted the correctional facilities, including the MSCC and staff quarters in Maiduguri,” he stated. “We are continuing to track down the remaining inmates and are committed to ensuring their swift return to custody.”
Abubakar also assured the public that despite the prison break, the situation poses no immediate threat to public safety. Both covert and overt security measures have been activated to manage the crisis and prevent further disruption.
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