Escape of 119 Inmates from Nigerian Prison
Nigerian prison service spokesperson Adamu Duza in a statement said that the hours-long downpour had “wreaked havoc” on the jail leading “to the escape of a total of one hundred and nineteen inmates of the facility”.
Details of the Escape
At least 119 inmates escaped a medium security jail in Nigeria, as heavy rains on Wednesday night damaged the colonial-era prison facility in Suleja, near the Nigerian Capital of Abuja.
Recapture Efforts
Attempts to recapture escaped prisoners are currently underway. Duza assured that a manhunt was in progress to recapture the escaped prisoners and that 10 are back in custody.
Caution to the Public
The prison service spokesperson advised the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement to the nearest security agency regarding the fleeing inmates.
Background on Prison Breaks in Nigeria
In recent years, due to weak infrastructure and militant attacks, prison breaks have become common in Nigeria. Overcrowding, underfunding, and lax security measures have contributed to the issue.
Modernization Efforts
Duza mentioned that the Nigerian prison service is working towards modernizing its facilities, including constructing new prisons with increased capacity and renovating existing ones.
