Over 100 inmates have escaped from a prison in Nigeria near the capital city of Abuja after heavy rains destroyed parts of the facility. The medium-security prison in the town of Suleja, in Niger state, saw its perimeter fence destroyed during the downpour, allowing 118 inmates to escape.
Prison officials, along with other agencies, have managed to recapture 10 of the escaped inmates. A manhunt is currently underway to find and bring back the rest of the prisoners. The public is urged to report any suspicious activity to the nearest security agency.
There are concerns that some of the escaped prisoners may have ties to criminal groups like Boko Haram. There is a fear that they could seek refuge in the nearby forests, which are known to be hiding spots for criminal gangs.
Nigerian prisons are often overcrowded and in poor condition, with many of them being old structures built during the colonial era. This makes it easier for inmates to escape during jailbreaks. Efforts are being made to modernize the prisons, including building new facilities and renovating existing ones.
Thousands of inmates have escaped from Nigerian prisons in recent years due to weak infrastructure and militant attacks. In 2022, nearly 900 inmates broke free from a prison in Abuja. The prison service is working to improve security and prevent future escapes.
