Maiduguri flood: 7 Fleeing Inmates Captured, as FG Releases Pictures of 281 fleeing inmates

The Federal Government has released details of the fleeing inmates from the Maiduguri Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC), who escaped due to floods that ravaged part of the city, affecting the prison walls.

To cushion the impact of the disaster on victims, the United Nations (UN) allocated $6 million to the state from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund. This amounts to N9.8 billion with the present exchange rate of N1,639 to the United States dollar.

Also, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has donated N100 million to assist the victims of the recent flood.

According to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), seven of the escapees had been captured and taken into custody.

National spokesman of NCoS, Umar Abubakar, stated, “The unfortunate flood has left scars, bringing down the walls of the correctional facilities, including the MSCC and the staff quarters.”

While officers were evacuating the inmates with support from sister security agencies to a safe and secure facility, he disclosed, 281 inmates were observed to be missing.

“However, it is important to note that the service is in the custody of their details, including their biometrics, which are being made available to the public.

“The service is working with other security agencies, as both covert and overt deployments have been activated to look out for them,” the statement reads.

NCoS explained that seven inmates were recaptured and returned to custody, while efforts were on to track down the rest.

According to UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, more funding is underway to bring the total contribution to more than $8 million.

The National Information Officer of the UN Information Centre, Oluseyi Soremekun, announced the various interventions in a press statement, yesterday.

Fall reportedly announced this allocation when he led officials of the global agency and non-governmental organisations on a visit to the conflict-ridden Borno and met with the government officials and the victims of the flooding.

Atiku’s donation was made known, yesterday, by his media adviser, Paul Ibe.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) announced the donation to the flood relief fund when he visited Governor Babagana Zulum at the Government House.

According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), more than 23,000 households have been hit by the rise of waters following the weekend rupture of the Alau Dam on the Ngadda River, 20 kilometres south of Maiduguri.

The statement reads, “The Waziri’s generous gesture is a testament to his unwavering dedication to humanitarian efforts. He has also called upon his network of friends and associates to contribute further to the relief efforts.

“This gesture mirrors Atiku’s previous humanitarian initiatives, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he mobilised support from his circle to address urgent needs.”

Upon his arrival at Maiduguri airport, Atiku was received by Senators Mohammed Monguno (Borno North) and Kaka Lawan (Borno Central).

In his remarks, Zulum appreciated the kind gesture of the PDP chieftain, saying, “The people of Borno deeply appreciate this show of solidarity.”