The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has taken a significant step in their effort to recapture inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State. In April 2024, heavy rainfall caused severe damage to the prison’s perimeter fence, allowing more than 180 inmates to flee.
Since the escape, some of the fugitives have been apprehended, but many are still at large. To aid in the recapture process, the NCoS has released the names and photographs of the escapees. This move is aimed at enlisting public help and increasing the chances of locating and returning the remaining fugitives to custody.
Abubakar Umar, the spokesperson for the NCoS, stated that making these details public is a crucial part of their ongoing efforts to address the situation and ensure that those who escaped are brought back to the prison system.
He said;
“The Nigerian Correctional Service wishes to publish the information of some escapees from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Suleja, FCT Command, which is as a result of the unfortunate collapse of the facility’s perimeter wall following a heavy downpour on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.
“This has become pertinent to recapture them and bring them back to custody. The information of the fugitives is hereby published for sister security agencies as well as the general public to look out for them in an attempt to recapture them and bring them back to the facility.
“The public is further enjoined to cooperate with the Service to recapture these fleeing inmates as they pose a danger to public safety and national security.
“The general public is further informed that the Nigerian Correctional Service has since deployed overt and covert strategies towards recapturing all escapees while ensuring that security in custodial facilities nationwide is beefed up to forestall any security breaches.
“If any of the escapees is sighted, the public can report to the nearest security agent or agency.”
The release of these names and photos is a clear sign of the NCoS’s commitment to resolving the situation and maintaining security within the custodial facilities.
