By Akinwale Kasali
A heavy rainstorm Wednesday night in Suleja, Niger State, has wreaked havoc at the Medium Security Custodial Centres, triggering the escape of 119 Prisoners. The heavy downpour pulled down the walls of the facility, and made it easy for the Prisoners to escape.
The heavy downpour which lasted for several hours led to the destruction of surrounding buildings, and destroyed part of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, giving way to the escape of a total of one hundred and eighteen (119) inmates of the facility to flee.
Confirming the escape of the Inmates, Adamu Duza, Public Relations Officer, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Command, said at least 10 of the escapees have been recaptured and taken into custody following the immediate activation of recapturing mechanism in collaboration with sister security agencies.
In a statement, Duza stated that, “A heavy downpour that lasted for several hours on yesterday night has wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centres, Suleja, Niger state, as well as surrounding buildings, destroying part of the custodial facility, including its perimeter fence, giving way to the escape of a total of one hundred and eighteen (119) inmates of the facility.
“The Service has immediately activated its recapturing mechanisms, and in conjunction with sister security agencies have so far recaptured 10 fleeing inmates and taken them into custody, while we are in hot chase to recapture the rest.”
He added that the heavy rainfall wreaked havoc on the custodial facility which was constructed during the colonial era.
“The Service is not unmindful of the fact that many of its facilities were built during the colonial era, and that they are old and weak.
“The Service is making frantic efforts to see that all ageing facilities give way for modern ones. This is evidenced in the ongoing construction of six (6) number of 3000-capacity ultra-modern custodial centres in all the geo-political zones in Nigeria as well as the ongoing reconstruction and renovation of existing ones.
“ The Service wishes to assure the public that it is on top of the situation and that they should go about their businesses without fear or hindrance. The public is further enjoined to look out for the fleeing inmates and report any suspicious movement to the nearest security agency, the statement read in part.
