By Two months after severe flooding damaged the Maiduguri Medium Security Custodial Centre in Borno State on September 10, 278 escapees remain unaccounted for, officials confirmed.
The flooding, which devastated key infrastructure in Maiduguri, the state capital, affected roads, bridges, hospitals, and the correctional facility, leading to the escape of 281 inmates seeking safety. Abubakar Umar, spokesperson for the Nigeria Correctional Service, stated, “The flood caused extensive damage, bringing down the walls of the custodial centre and staff quarters.”
Umar noted that, while some inmates were safely evacuated with assistance from security agencies, 281 prisoners initially went missing. Since then, the Borno State police have managed to re-arrest three escapees: Auwalu Aminu, Abubakar Mohammed, and Kyari Kur.
Police Public Relations Officer Nahum Daso provided details on the re-arrests, including Kur’s capture on October 10 in Gubio, following credible intelligence received by the Gubio Divisional Headquarters. Mohammed was apprehended on September 15 in Gubio town after a local resident alerted authorities, while Aminu was re-arrested on October 16 in Banki town after a tip-off.
In a recent interview, Daso confirmed that efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining escapees, with police conducting intensive search operations. “We are committed to updating the public on our progress and any breakthroughs,” Daso said. The re-arrested escapees have been returned to the correctional facility in Borno State.
