African News has reported a state of emergency near Nigeria’s capital as more than 100 prisoners managed to escape from a correctional facility following heavy rains that wreaked havoc on the prison’s infrastructure.
Authorities confirm that 118 prisoners fled from Suleja Prison, with only 10 recaptured so far.
An intense search operation is underway to locate the remaining escapees.
Identity details of the escaped prisoners remain murky, stirring concerns over potential threats to public safety.
The prison administration pledges collaboration with security agencies to address the crisis and urges citizens to continue their daily routines without undue anxiety.
“In cooperation with security agencies, we have recaptured 10 inmates and placed them in custody. We are intensively searching for the others,” stated the Abuja prisons authority, as cited by the publication.
This incident spotlights the formidable challenges confronting Africa’s prison system, particularly the precarious state of many facilities.
Numerous prisons, relics of the colonial era, are aged and vulnerable to deterioration, exacerbating security risks.
The recent jailbreak echoes a similar event two years ago, where over 400 inmates broke free following an assault on another Abuja-based prison.
Tragically, casualties ensued, including four prisoners, a guard, and numerous attackers.
The 2022 attack, attributed to Islamist militants, aimed at liberating detainees, underscoring Nigeria’s intricate security landscape.
Since 2020, more than 5,000 inmates have escaped during various incidents across the nation, underscoring persistent challenges in upholding secure correctional facilities.
As authorities continue their efforts to restore order and locate the escaped prisoners, questions arise regarding the resilience and preparedness of Nigeria’s penal system to withstand such crises.
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