The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that 281 inmates are missing from the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Maiduguri, Borno State, following a flood incident.
In a statement released on Sunday by the service’s spokesman, Umar Abubakar, NCoS explained that the missing inmates were discovered after an evacuation process was conducted in response to the flood. Seven inmates have since been recaptured and returned to the facility.
Abubakar revealed that the flooding caused significant damage to the correctional facility, including the collapse of parts of the MSCC and nearby staff quarters.
“The Nigerian Correctional Service has noted the ongoing flooding in Maiduguri and its surroundings, which has led to damage to the Medium Security Custodial Centre and the staff quarters,” the statement read.
He added, “During the evacuation, with assistance from other security agencies, it was observed that 281 inmates were unaccounted for. However, the NCoS has complete records of these individuals, including their biometrics, which are now being made available to the public.”
The service assured that it is working closely with security forces, using both covert and overt operations, to track down the missing inmates. “Efforts are actively underway to locate and return the remaining escapees to custody,” Abubakar said.
He also reassured the public that the incident poses no threat to public safety.
So far, seven inmates have been successfully recaptured, and the search continues for the rest.
