The Nigerian Correctional Service has now confirmed that not less than 281 inmates are missing from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The service, on Sunday, noted that the discovery was made during an evacuation exercise in the aftermath of the flood incident in the state, as seven inmates were returned to the centre.
In the statement issued by its spokesman, Umar Abubakar, the details of the inmates, including their biometrics, were released.
Abubakar said, “The Service is working in synergy with other security agencies as both covert and overt deployments have been activated to look out for them.
“Presently, a total of seven (7) inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody, while efforts are on ground to track down the rest and bring them back to safe custody.
“While this effort is on, the public is assured that the incident does not impede or affect public safety”, the statement added.
Intense flooding in Borno
Diaspora Digital Media has monitored the situation and has reported how lives and properties have been lost to the disaster.
The recent flooding in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State in Nigeria, has brought immense devastation to the region.
The disaster, triggered by heavy rainfall and the failure of the Alau Dam, has resulted in significant loss of life, displacement of people, and destruction of infrastructure.
The flooding has claimed the lives of at least 30 people, with many more still missing.
The true extent of the damage is still unfolding, but it is estimated that over 400,000 people have been displaced, with around one million people affected by the disaster.
The displacement of such a large number of people has put a strain on the resources of the local authorities and humanitarian organizations.
The infrastructure damage caused by the flooding is equally alarming.
Thousands of homes have been destroyed, leaving many families without shelter.
The flooding has also caused significant damage to roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure, making it difficult for rescue teams to access affected areas.
The situation has been further complicated by the escape of animals from the local zoo, which poses an additional threat to the residents.
The government has appealed for humanitarian support to help respond to the crisis, and the Nigerian Red Cross has also responded, calling for urgent donations to support the affected communities.
The flooding in Maiduguri has also highlighted the ongoing challenges facing the region.
The disaster has led to food and nutrition crises, with over 32 million people in Nigeria facing severe food insecurity.
The situation is further complicated by the ongoing conflict in the region, which has displaced millions of people and strained the resources of the local authorities.
Maiduguri
Maiduguri is the capital and largest city of Borno State in northeastern Nigeria. It is situated on the banks of the Ngadda River and has a population of over 1 million people.
Maiduguri has a rich cultural heritage and is known for its vibrant markets, historic landmarks, and traditional architecture.
However, in recent years, Maiduguri has faced significant challenges due to the Boko Haram insurgency, which has led to displacement, destruction of infrastructure, and a humanitarian crisis.
Despite these challenges, the city remains a vital economic and cultural hub in the region.
