The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has announced that 281 inmates are currently unaccounted for following an evacuation at the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Maiduguri, Borno State. The evacuation was triggered by severe flooding in the area, which caused significant damage to the correctional facility and its staff quarters.
In a statement released on Sunday, NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar confirmed that, as a result of the flooding, the walls of the MSCC were compromised, leading to the displacement of inmates. So far, seven inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody, while efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining individuals.
Abubakar assured the public that the NCoS has detailed biometric records of all the escaped inmates and is working closely with other security agencies to ensure their swift return. “Covert and overt operations have been activated,” he said, emphasizing that the incident does not pose a threat to public safety.
The flooding in Maiduguri has wreaked havoc on various infrastructures, further complicating the recovery efforts. The NCoS continues to coordinate with local security agencies to manage the situation and prevent further escapes.
Efforts are also being made to provide necessary support to the affected staff members and to restore the facility’s operations.
As the authorities ramp up efforts to locate the missing inmates, they have urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with security forces to ensure that those who escaped are recaptured promptly.
