The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has reported that 281 inmates are missing from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Maiduguri, Borno State. This followed an evacuation due to recent flooding in the area, with seven inmates already returned to custody.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, NCoS spokesman Umar Abubakar provided details about the missing inmates, noting that their biometric information has been recorded.
Abubakar stated, “The Nigerian Correctional Service has been closely monitoring the flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State, and the surrounding areas. Unfortunately, the flood has severely damaged the correctional facilities, including the Medium Security Custodial Centre, as well as staff quarters in the city.”
He continued, “During the evacuation of inmates by officers, supported by sister security agencies, 281 inmates were found to be missing.”
However, he assured the public that the NCoS has complete details of the missing inmates, including their biometric data, which has been shared with the public.
“The service is actively collaborating with other security agencies, with both covert and overt operations in place to locate and return the missing inmates. So far, seven inmates have been recaptured, and efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining escapees,” Abubakar said.
He emphasised that public safety remains unaffected by the incident.
