NCoS contacts INTERPOL, places 281 Borno fleeing inmates on watchlist

The Nigerian Correctional Service on Sunday disclosed that about 281 inmates are still at large after they escaped from the Maiduguri Medium Security Custodial Centre following severe flooding in the capital city last Tuesday.

NCoS spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, however, told The PUNCH that the agency had alerted the Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigeria Police Force  among other security agencies to help recapture the fleeing inmates.

“Every security agency in the country has been notified and they are on alert to help track down the fleeing inmates wherever they may be. With their help, we will capture them and return them back to our custodial centre,” Umar said.

In a statement on Sunday, he said of the 281 fleeing inmates, seven had already been recaptured and returned to the facility.

“The Nigerian Correctional Service has observed the flooding currently being experienced in Maiduguri, Borno State, and its environment. The unfortunate incident has left scars, bringing down the walls of the correctional facilities, including the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Maiduguri as well as the staff quarters in the city.

“Upon the evacuation of inmates by officers of the service, with support from sister security agencies to a safe and secure facility, 281 inmates were observed to be missing. Presently, a total of seven inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody, while efforts are on the ground to track down the rest and bring them back to safe custody,” the statement read in part.

Abubakar further stated that details of the fleeing inmates had been made available to the public, while noting that efforts were underway to track them.

“However, it is important to note that the service is in custody of their details, including their biometrics, which are being made available to the public. The service is working in synergy with other security agencies as both covert and overt deployments have been activated to locate them. While this effort is ongoing, the public is assured that the incident does not impede or affect public safety,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Saturday said he was “seriously worried” that jailed Boko Haram terrorists might have escaped from the prison facility.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Air Force has begun transporting relief materials to flood victims in Maiduguri, Borno State, following the displacement of at least 414,000 people and the deaths of 30 due to severe flooding. The relief effort, which is part of NAF’s statutory role in providing military aid to civil authorities, involves airlifting materials donated by the Nigerian Customs Service.

According to the Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, Group Captain Kabiru Ali, the operation began on September 14, 2024.

He said, “The airlift missions, which commenced on 14 September 2024, had the first batch of the relief items, comprising 300 bags of 50kg rice, successfully delivered to NAF Base Maiduguri via the NAF C-130 Hercules aircraft. The air component Commander, Air Commodore UU Idris, received the materials and handed them over to the Commissioner for Inter-Governmental and Special Duties, Alhaji Tukur Ibrahim, who was accompanied by the Comptroller of the Nigerian Customs Service, MD Malah. Additionally, heavy-duty trucks provided by the NAF were used to transport the materials to the Borno State Government House for onward distribution.”

Additionally, NAF has launched a medical outreach programme to support flood victims and internally displaced persons, providing essential medical services, food, and water to mitigate the disaster’s effects.

The relief operations, directed by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal H.B. Abubakar, will continue as long as necessary to ensure aid reaches those in need.