Over 270 Inmates Escape After Flooding Damages Nigerian Prison

Latest News: Over 270 Inmates Escape After Flooding Damages Nigerian Prison

More than 270 inmates have escaped from a prison in Maiduguri, northeastern Nigeria, following severe flooding caused by the collapse of a dam. The floodwaters, resulting from intense rainfall, have devastated the area, leading to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of residents and claiming at least 30 lives.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum described the damage as “beyond human imagination.” This incident marks the first acknowledgment from Nigerian authorities about the number of inmates who fled during the crisis.

The flooding compromised the medium-security prison’s walls, which led to an evacuation effort that inadvertently allowed some inmates to escape.

According to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), the escape occurred while inmates were being transferred to a safer facility. Governor Zulum indicated that members of the Islamist militant group Boko Haram were among those who escaped, although the exact number of jihadist-linked fugitives remains unclear.

NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar has assured the public that efforts are underway to recapture the escaped inmates, with cooperation from various security agencies. The NCoS has released photos of the fugitives and urged the public to stay calm, emphasizing that the prison break does not pose a direct threat to public safety.

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