On the night of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, a severe downpour wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State. The heavy rainfall caused extensive damage to the custodial facility's infrastructure, including breaching the perimeter fence, which facilitated the escape of 118 inmates.
The Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, through its spokesperson Adamu Duza, confirmed the incident in a statement released on Thursday. According to Duza, the breach in the perimeter fence allowed the inmates to flee the facility.
In response to the escape, the Nigerian Correctional Service swiftly activated its recapturing protocols, collaborating with other security agencies to recover 10 of the escaped inmates. Efforts to recapture the remaining fleeing inmates are ongoing.
Recognizing the vulnerability of aging facilities, many of which were built during the colonial era, the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Francis John, assured the public that the situation was under control. John emphasized the commitment of the Nigerian Correctional Service to modernize its infrastructure.
The public was urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or sightings of escaped inmates to the nearest security agency. Meanwhile, concerns about overcrowding in Nigerian prisons have been underscored by the United States, as noted in its '2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria.' The report highlighted the significant challenge posed by overcrowding, with correctional facilities struggling to accommodate inmates beyond their intended capacity, revealing systemic issues within the prison system.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address infrastructure challenges within Nigeria's correctional facilities to ensure the safety of both inmates and the public.
Kindly share this story and follow us for more engaging contents
.jpg)
0 Comments