In a statement Thursday, spokesman Adamu Duza reported that at least 118 inmates escaped from the prison after Wednesday night’s heavy rains caused significant damage to the facility in Suleja, near the Nigerian capital.
The spokesman added that the downpour that lasted for several hours pretty much destroyed some parts of the medium-security prison, including the perimeter wall and the surrounding buildings, stressing that a manhunt had been launched for the escaped prisoners, and they had already managed to capture 10 people.
Addressing the population, Duza urged the locals to remain calm, assured the population that the authorities were in control of the situation, asking the people to be on the lookout for escaped prisoners and to report any suspicious movements to the nearest security agency.
DO NOT MISS IT
Duza did not provide details on the identity or affiliation of the escaped prisoners, but local reports suggest that members of the Boko Haram Islamist insurgent group have already been captured. However, this was not the first such case in the country.
Reuters reminded that thousands of prisoners have escaped in recent years due to poor infrastructure and militant attacks. Following an attack by the Islamic State in July 2022, for example, around 440 prisoners were released from a high-security prison in the capital, Abuja.
