On Wednesday night, heavy rain caused severe damage to the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State. This led to extensive destruction of the facility and allowed 118 prisoners to escape.
This information was shared in a statement signed by Adamu Duza, the spokesperson for the Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, on Thursday.
Duza mentioned that the heavy rain caused a lot of damage to the custodial centre's infrastructure, including a breach in the perimeter fence that enabled the prisoners to run away.
In response, the NCoS quickly activated its protocols to recapture the prisoners and worked with other security agencies to catch 10 of the escaped inmates.
Efforts to recapture the remaining escaped inmates are still ongoing.
Acknowledging the vulnerability of old facilities, many of which were constructed during the colonial era, Duza recognized that the NCoS was dedicated to modernizing its infrastructure.
The statement also highlighted that Francis John, the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, assured the public that the situation was under control and encouraged them to continue their daily activities without fear.
The public was advised to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities or sightings of escaped inmates to the nearest security agency.
The statement mentioned, “A heavy rain that lasted for several hours on the night of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, caused extensive damage to the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, as well as surrounding buildings. It destroyed parts of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, allowing 118 inmates to escape.
“The service has immediately activated its recapturing mechanisms, and in conjunction with sister security agencies, has so far recaptured 10 escaping inmates and taken them into custody, while we are in hot pursuit to recapture the rest.
“The service is aware that many of its facilities were built during the colonial era and are old and weak. The Service is making frantic efforts to ensure that all aging facilities are replaced with modern ones.”
“The Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Francis John, wants to assure the public that the service is on top of the situation and that they should go about their normal businesses without fear or hindrance,” the statement added.
The United States has highlighted the significant problem of overcrowding in Nigerian prisons.
According to the ‘2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria’ published on its website, the US noted that numerous correctional facilities were struggling with a staggering 50% increase in the number of inmates beyond their intended capacity, revealing a systemic issue.
Additionally, it revealed that a notable proportion of these prisons, some with histories dating back 70 to 80 years, faced difficulties in meeting even the most basic living standards.
