The Nigerian Correctional Service has declared 281 inmates missing in the medium correctional centre in Maiduguri after the evacuation of inmates by officers of the service with support from sister security agencies.
The Service also promptly released the biometric details of the missing inmates, saying all security agencies had been alerted on the imperative of assisting in carrying out the re-capturing of the fleeing inmates.
A statement by the service spokesman Abubakar Umar said the flood brought down the walls of the correctional facility including the Medium Security Correctional Centre as well as the Staff Quarters in the city.
“The unfortunate incident has left scars, bringing down the walls of the correctional facilities, including the Medium Security Custodial Centre Maiduguri (MSCC) as well as the staff quarters in the City,” Umar said.
He said: “It is important to note that the service is in the custody of their details, including their biometrics, which are being made available to the public below
“The service is working in synergy with other security agencies as both covert and overt deployments have been activated to look out for them.
“Presently, a total of seven (7) inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody, while efforts are on the ground to track down the rest and bring them back to safe custody.
“While this effort is on, the public is assured that the incidence does not impede or affect public safety”
The statement added that upon the evacuation of inmates by officers of the service, they were taken to a safe facility.
The flood affected more than a million people and left over 30 people dead.
It has unleashed unprecedented devastation, leaving a trail of destruction and despair in its wake.
