Over 100 Inmates Escape After Rain Damages Nigerian Prison
Abuja: A total of 118 inmates managed to escape from a prison in Suleja, Nigeria, after heavy rains caused significant damage to the facility on Wednesday night. The medium-security prison was hit hard by the downpour, which destroyed parts of the perimeter wall and surrounding buildings, according to prison service spokesperson Adamu Duza.
As authorities launched a manhunt to track down the fugitives, 10 of the escaped inmates were successfully recaptured with the assistance of other security agencies. Duza reassured the public that efforts were underway to capture the remaining escapees and urged citizens to report any suspicious activity to the nearest security agency.
While Duza did not provide specific details about the escaped prisoners, it is known that Suleja prison has housed members of the Boko Haram Islamist insurgent group in the past. Prison breaks have become a recurring issue in Nigeria due to overcrowding, lack of funding, and inadequate security measures, creating opportunities for inmates to flee.
In response to the incident, Duza highlighted the need for modernizing the country’s prison facilities, acknowledging that many were built during the colonial era and are now outdated and vulnerable. The prison service is reportedly working on constructing new, larger facilities and upgrading existing ones to prevent future escapes.
The escape of over 100 inmates from the Suleja prison serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Nigeria’s prison system and the urgent need for reforms to enhance security and prevent further incidents.