The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has declared 281 inmates missing following the evacuation of inmates from the flood-affected Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Maiduguri.
The evacuation, carried out by NCoS officers with the support of sister security agencies, was aimed at transferring the inmates to a secure facility after floodwaters brought down the walls of the correctional facility and nearby staff quarters.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Mr. Abubakar Umar, the NCoS confirmed that seven of the missing inmates had already been recaptured.
“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,” Umar said.
He further emphasized that the service has complete details of the missing inmates, including their biometrics, which are being made available to the public.
The NCoS assured the public that efforts were ongoing to recapture the remaining fugitives, with both covert and overt security operations being activated.
“The service is working in synergy with other security agencies, and presently, a total of seven inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody,” Umar stated.
He also reassured the public that the incident does not pose any threat to public safety, noting, “While this effort is on, the public is assured that the incident does not impede or affect public safety.”
