Prisoners flee after Nigeria floods damage jail

More than 270 inmates have escaped from a prison in Maiduguri, Nigeria, following severe flooding that caused significant damage to the facility. The flooding, triggered by the collapse of a nearby dam due to heavy rainfall, has led to widespread devastation in the region.

So far, only seven of the escaped prisoners have been recaptured. The extensive flooding has displaced hundreds of thousands of residents in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, and resulted in at least 30 deaths. Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum described the situation as “beyond human imagination,” highlighting the severity of the crisis.

This incident marks the first acknowledgment by Nigerian authorities regarding the scale of the escape. According to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), the medium security prison sustained significant damage, which led to the inmates being moved to a safer facility. During this evacuation process, some prisoners managed to flee.

Governor Zulum had previously indicated  that among the escapees were members of the Islamist militant group Boko Haram. However, the exact number of fugitives linked to jihadist activities remains unclear.

Umar Abubakar, a spokesperson for the NCoS, has assured the public that efforts are underway to recapture the escaped inmates. The NCoS has released photos of the fugitives and is working in collaboration with security agencies to address the situation. Abubakar emphasized that the prison break does not pose a significant threat to public safety, urging the public to remain calm despite the unfolding crisis.

The situation continues to develop, with ongoing efforts to manage the aftermath of the floods and the prison escape.