..How Inmates Escaped From Maiduguri Prison — Police Source
..Official Denies Inmates Escaped
..Tinubu Orders Victims’ Evacuation
..VP Admits FG Underestimated Flooding
Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, is reeling from a devastating flood triggered by the collapse of the Alau Dam. Thousands of residents have been displaced, with homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure submerged under water.
The flood led to the mass escape of inmates from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in the state capital during evacuation on Tuesday.
A police source revealed to THE WHISTLER how several inmates escaped the custody of correctional officers during an emergency evacuation exercise after the custodial centre was submerged.
While the Nigerian Correctional Service made a veiled attempt to deny the incident on Tuesday, the police source who spoke anonymously said the floods caused structural damage to the facility which forced the transfer of the inmates to the Maximum Security Prison, Maiduguri.
“They (correctional officers) were trying to move the inmates due to the compromised structure by the flash water flood. They were moving inmates from the facility they were to the maximum prison. In the process of doing that, some prisoners escaped. The situation felt apocalyptic, with everyone trying to survive. We are still awaiting an official report to determine the exact number of escapees,” the police source revealed to THE WHISTLER.
The massive flood was said to have also submerged parts of the city including the Emir’s palace, and a section of government house.
But contradicting reports of the inmates’ escape, an official of the Nigerian Correctional Service who pleaded anonymity maintained that all inmates were safely evacuated.
“Nobody escaped. The inmates were simply moved after the fence collapsed due to the flood,” the official stated.
However, a security analyst on X.com, Zagazola Makama (@ZagazOlaMakama) also claimed that approximately 200 inmates remain unaccounted for after the incident.
“At least 200 inmates remain unaccounted for at the Maiduguri Correctional Center following severe flooding that ravaged the city, Zagazola can confirm. The authorities have initially attempted to cover up the story, but sources confirmed that it did happened,” he wrote.
THE WHISTLER further gathered that authorities are currently trying to assess the full scope of the situation.
Tinubu Orders Victims’s Evacuation:
President Bola Tinubu expressed concern over the devastating flood on Tuesday and ordered immediate evacuation of residents.
In what has been described as the worst flood in recent times, thousands of residents were displaced while critical facilities like the Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, a section of government house, and the post office were severely affected.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to expedite the evacuation and provide assistance to those displaced.
He further reassured Governor Babagana Umara Zulum that the Federal Government is ready to mobilize resources to meet the immediate humanitarian needs in the region.
We Underestimated Flood – VP Shettima
Vice President Kashim Shettima, on-site assessment of the flood-ravaged area on Tuesday, admitted that the flood surpassed projections of the Bola Tinubu administration, describing it as the worst flood to hit the city in over three decades.
“The severity of this flood has far exceeded our estimates,” Shettima stated, “marking the most catastrophic flood in Maiduguri in over 30 years.”
The VP affirmed that the flooding resulted from excess water released from the Alau Dam after its spillways collapsed.
Despite the government’s preparations based on the 2024 Flood Outlook, which included comprehensive contingency plans and proactive measures, the Vice President admitted that the scale of the disaster presented unprecedented challenges.
Shettima assured residents that the federal government, in collaboration with the Borno State government, remains committed to mobilising all necessary resources to ensure the safety and support of affected individuals and areas.
He disclosed ongoing efforts to evacuate and resettle residents while providing food, shelter, and medical assistance.
Borno Gov’t Moves Victims To Bakassi Camp
With many residents displaced, the government has reopened several IDP camps to accommodate those affected.
The Director General, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, disclosed this on Tuesday.
“Borno State Government has opened up Bakassi Camp to accommodate those displaced by the flood. We are working, alongside the Borno State Emergency Management Agency, in providing humanitarian assistance to the distressed in the camp,” said Umari.
On September 13 1994, Maiduguri witnessed a severe flood that claimed numerous lives and reportedly submerged half of the city. About 30 years later, the city is grappling with a similar disaster as heavy flooding once again affects much of central Maiduguri.
Alert INTERPOL To Track Down Fleeing Inmates, Convicted Terrorists — Expert
Dr Kabir Adamu, Managing Director of Beacon Security and Intelligence Ltd, while analyzing the implications of the inmates’ escape in a phone interview with THE WHISTLER, advised the government to alert INTERPOL on the situation.
“The most immediate thing is to do a head count and identify whether or not prisoners have escaped, who they are and the reasons they were detained, if they are awaiting trial or they have been convicted, depending on the severity of their crime.
“For instance, If they are terrorism suspects or persons who have been convicted of terrorism, then the action first of is to identify where they are and of course rearrest them and keep them in detention.
“I believe the detention centre has their profile, which means they know who they are and their family members, and hopefully they will use all that information in an attempt to rearrest them.
“The second thing is to put out a notice to the community, to tell them that inmates have escaped, so the community can help with information as to their whereabouts. Also, the community should remain at high alert depending on what the persons that escaped were convicted for,” he said.
Speaking on the possibility of rearresting the fleeing inmates, the security expert said, “I don’t know the procedures that are in place. I mentioned profiling, it may include their biometrics. If that is in place, it means they have enough records (fingerprints, height, shape and others). It will be very difficult if they have not been profiled.
“Again, if they are convicted terrorist, they know that coming back to that place would mean probably they are dead.
“Giving the location of Borno, they can easily go into Niger (Republic) or Chad and from there into the wider Sahel or even beyond that. It all depends on immediate steps and what is available to the law enforcement and criminal justice system regarding their data and how they use that data to go after them.
“It means, we need to seek the support of our neighbouring countries and immediately send out information to our neighbouring countries, so they put them on the watch list.
“They can also contact INTERPOL. All of these will be determined on whether we have shared their data with the INTERPOL and then the INTERPOL can also assist us. Frankly, Borno is on the border and they can easily cross and that’s it.”
Asked if the fleeing inmates may seize advantage of the incident to strike, he said: “No it won’t be immediate, for people who have escaped from prison, they will need to regroup with their members if they are convicted terrorists.
NCoS Reacts:
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) said it has intensified efforts to manage the situation but failed to admit that some inmates escape during the evacuation exercise.
The NCoS, in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Assistant Controller of Corrections, Umar Abubakar, assured that measures are in place to secure inmates and protect the community.
Umar said, “As the agency responsible for the safekeeping of inmates, we want to assure the public that we are taking all necessary measures to ensure public safety.”
Umar reassured the public that its officers are working “around the clock” to manage the transfer of inmates to a more secure facility.
“We appreciate the support and guidance from the Presidency and the Vice President’s visit to Maiduguri to assess the situation.
“Contrary to initial reports, the officers and men of the command are working around the clock to ensure a smooth and secure transfer process. We will continue to provide updates, and will like to assure the public that the NCoS is committed to maintaining order and ensuring public safety during this challenging time,” the statement read.
Alert INTERPOL To Track Fleeing Maiduguri Prison Inmates, Expert Tells FG is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
