274 inmates still missing in aftermath of Maiduguri flooding
…As former VP Atiku donates N100m
The recent floods in Maiduguri, Borno State, have caused widespread destruction and chaos, with the latest incident being the escape of 274 inmates from the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC).
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that the floods destroyed the prison walls, allowing the inmates to flee.
According to NCoS spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, “The flood brought down the walls of the correctional facilities, including the medium security custodial centre Maiduguri (MSCC) as well as the staff quarters in the City. Upon the evacuation of inmates by officers of the service with support from sister security agencies to a safe and secure facility, 281 inmates were observed to be missing.”
The Service has assured that it has detailed records of the missing inmates, including their biometrics, and is working to recapture them.
“The service is working in synergy with other security agencies as both covert and overt deployments have been activated to look out for them,” Abubakar said.
So far, seven inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody, while efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining escapees. The public has been assured that the incident does not impede or affect public safety.
The floods in Maiduguri have displaced over a million people and caused at least 30 deaths, with the collapse of the Alau Dam exacerbating the situation. The incident has raised concerns about the state of Nigeria’s correctional facilities and the need for urgent action to address the challenges facing the criminal justice system.
In a related development, the United Nations has pledged to scale up support for Borno flood victims, while the Gombe State Government has donated N100 million to support those affected by the floods.
Also, Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, 2023 Borno PDP gubernatorial candidate Mohammed Jajari, and other opposition leaders have expressed solidarity with the victims of the devastating floods in Maiduguri, Borno State.
They described the floods as a ‘national disaster’ and urged the federal government to declare a state of emergency.
Atiku announced a donation of N100 million to the victims, while Jajari called on the government to provide adequate assistance to displaced persons.
Other opposition leaders, including Kumalia and Mohammed Imam, also visited affected areas, offering support and encouragement.
Meanwhile, a delegation from the Kano State Government, led by Amina Aliyu, Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, visited Governor Babagana Umara Zulum and announced a donation of N100 million to the victims.
The opposition leaders’ show of support is seen as a move to pressure the government to do more to address the humanitarian crisis.
Governor Zulum appreciated the donations and support, saying, “We are grateful for the solidarity and support. We will work together to address the crisis and provide relief to the affected communities.”
In a related development, the Borno State Government has announced plans to support victims of the recent flooding in the state who are not residing in official Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
A committee has been constituted to assess the damage and provide necessary assistance to those affected.
According to the Commissioner of Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, the committee has commenced distribution of relief materials, including food, shelter, and essential items to displaced persons in Maiduguri and Jere Local Government Areas.
The floods have displaced thousands, destroying homes, infrastructure, and farmlands, leaving many without access to basic necessities.
The state government’s decision to aid victims outside official camps has been hailed as a welcome development.
The committee urged those not in official camps to register with them to receive necessary support. The full extent of the damage remains unknown, as reports of missing persons and unrecovered bodies continue to emerge.
