Severe flooding in northeastern Nigeria has led to a mass prison break in Maiduguri, with 281 inmates escaping after floodwaters collapsed the walls of a correctional facility, authorities say.
The Nigeria Correctional Services spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, saying it occurred early last week at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Maiduguri.
“The floods brought down the walls of the correctional facilities including the Medium Security Custodial Centre, as well as the staff quarters in the city,” Mr Abubakar said.
According to the statement, seven of the escaped inmates have been recaptured so far, with operations underway to find the remaining fugitives.
The flooding not only affected the prison but also damaged staff living quarters, highlighting the extent of the disaster.
Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, has been a focal point in Nigeria’s long-running battle against Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The city has faced numerous security challenges over the years, and this prison break adds to the complex situation in the region.
Nigerian authorities have not yet commented on whether any high-profile inmates or suspected militants were among those who escaped.
The incident underscores the multifaceted challenges facing Nigeria, where security concerns intersect with environmental disasters. Flooding has become an increasing problem in parts of the country in recent years, often attributed to climate change and inadequate infrastructure.
As the search for the escaped prisoners continues, questions are likely to arise about the state of Nigeria’s correctional facilities and their ability to withstand both natural disasters and potential security threats.
