Maiduguri flood: NCoS declares 281 inmates missing

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Nigerian Correctional Service has declared 281 inmates missing from its Medium Security Custodial Centre as a result of the flood disasters in Maiduguri, Borno state.

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.

NCoS in a statement on Sunday by its Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar said it observed that “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.”

NCoS stated that the flood left scars and brought down the walls of its facilities as well as staff quarters in the city.

The statement reads, “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 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.”

The Service however confirmed that seven of the missing inmates have been recaptured and returned to their custody.

“Presently, a total of seven 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.