Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has declared 281 inmates missing from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday by its spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, NCoS noted that this followed an evacuation process in the aftermath of the flood incident in the state, adding that seven inmates were returned to the centre.
The service subsequently released the details of the missing inmates, including their biometrics.
“The Nigerian Correctional Service has observed the flooding currently being experienced in Maiduguri, Borno State, and its environment.
“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.
“Upon the evacuation of inmates by officers of the service with support from sister security agencies to a safe and secure facility, 281 inmates were observed to be missing.
“It is important to note that the service is in custody of their details, including their biometrics, which is 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 inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody, while efforts are on ground to track down the rest and bring them back to safe custody,” the statement said
Abubakar added that while efforts to arrest the missing inmates is on, he assured the public that the incidence does not impede or affect public safety.
