The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has appealed to the public to help its officers recapture 31 fleeing inmates, lamenting that they pose danger to public safety and national security.
The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO) Assistant Controller of Corrections (ACC), Abubakar Umar, made the appeal in Abuja.
A heavy rainfall on April 24 wreaked havoc on the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, resulting in extensive damage to the facility, which 119 inmates capitalized on to escape.
Reports said that rainfall caused severe damage to the custodial centre’s infrastructure, including a breach in the perimeter fence hence the inmates fled.
Umar, however, said that the general public is further informed that the NCoS has since deployed overt and covert strategies to recapture all the escapees.
He also assured that security in custodial facilities nationwide has been beefed up to forestall any further security breach.
According to him, the Service wishes to publish the information of some escapees from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Suleja, FCT Command.
“It was as a result of the unfortunate collapse of the facility’s perimeter wall following a heavy downpour. This has become pertinent in an effort to recapture them and bring them back to custody.
“The information of the fugitives are 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.
“If any of the escapees is sighted, the public can report to the nearest security agent or agency or may call the following numbers: 07087086005, 09060004598, or 08075050006.
“The public can also contact us through our email on: info@corrections.gov.ng or complaintsresponsedesk@corrections.gov.ng,”.
