One hundred and nineteen inmates made a daring escape from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, following a severe rainstorm that wreaked havoc on a part of the facility late Wednesday night. According to Deputy Superintendent of Corrections Command Public Relations Officer, AS Duza, efforts are underway to recapture the fugitives, with 10 of them already back in custody.
The aging infrastructure of the facility, dating back to the colonial era, was cited as a contributing factor to the escape. However, ongoing efforts to modernize and reinforce the corrections system are evident through the construction of new custodial centers and the renovation of existing ones across Nigeria.
Local reports indicate that security reinforcements swiftly responded to the incident, with a focus on strategic areas within Suleja town. Despite the disturbance, normalcy has returned to the area, although authorities continue to search for the remaining escaped inmates.
This incident underscores the broader challenge of prison overcrowding in Nigeria, prompting government initiatives to alleviate the pressure on correctional facilities by releasing eligible inmates, particularly those unable to pay fines.