The Federal Government has announced the recapture of seven inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Maiduguri, Borno State, following a devastating flood that destroyed parts of the facility last week.

The identities of 281 inmates still on the run have also been released to the public.
According to Umar Abubakar, Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, the flood damaged the correctional facility and staff quarters, leading to the escape of inmates.

However, the service has their details, including biometric data, and is working with other security agencies to track them down.

So far, seven inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody. The public has been assured that the incident does not compromise public safety, and efforts are ongoing to recapture the remaining inmates.
Nigerian Correctional Service working with security agencies to track down inmates
Public safety assured, efforts ongoing to recapture remaining inmates

According to Umar Abubakar, Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, “Upon the evacuation of inmates by officers of the service with support from sister security agencies to a safe and secure facility, 281 inmates were observed to be missing.” However, he assured that “the service is in custody of their details, including their biometrics, which is being made available to the public.”

Abubakar stated that the service is working in synergy with other security agencies, saying “both covert and overt deployments have been activated to look out for them.”

He also noted that “presently, a total of seven inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody, while efforts are on ground to track down the rest and bring them back to safe custody.”

Abubakar reassured the public, saying “while this effort is on, the public is assured that the incidence does not impede or affect public safety.”