BREAKING: Prisoners Escape as Rainstorm Tear Down Facility in Niger

• An unknown number of inmates have escaped from Suleja Correctional Center in Niger state after a rainstorm tore down the facility
• The security agents guarding the prison were overwhelmed by the number of prisoners who charged at them during the incident
• Efforts are now ongoing to track down the escaped prisoners and return them to the cells

Many prisoners serving time at the Suleja Correctional Centre, located in Suleja Local Government of Niger state, fled the facility after a rainstorm brought down a part of the inner fencing.

The heavy downpour on Wednesday night led to a cell being torn down, providing incarcerated individuals with a chance at freedom.

Leadership News reported that security personnel have been sent to likely hideouts of the fleeing prisoners.

Reporters gathered that security forces fired many shots in the air, attempting to scare the inmates out of hiding.

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While the State Comptroller of Prisons declined to speak to the press, it has been noted that security has been beefed up on the Minna-Suleja and Suleja-Kaduna roads, including the Madalla axis to Abuja road, which is a likely escape route out of the state for the inmates.

The Vanguard reported that no fewer than 119 inmates made it out of the facility before the security could take control of the situation.

Spokesman of the Federal Capital Territory FCT Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service NCoS, Adamu Duza disclosed this in a statement on Thursday morning.

He said:

“A heavy downpour that lasted for several hours on the night of Wednesday, 24 April 2024 has wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Suleja, Niger state, as well as surrounding buildings, destroying part of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, giving way to the escape of a total of 118 inmates of the facility”.

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Ten inmates recaptured

Duza said that immediately upon learning of the incident, recapture mechanisms were rolled out to bring back fleeing prisoners.

He added that the efforts have yielded results, with at least 10 inmates reincarcerated.

“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”, said Duza.

Niger governor declares state of emergency

Legit.ng had earlier reported that the governor of Niger state, Mohammed Umaru Bago, declared a state of emergency in the northern state.

He took the measures to further strengthen his grasp on insurgents that have been tormenting the state.

Source: Legit.ng