The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has disclosed that 274 inmates got missing after flooding brought down the walls of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, (MSCC) Maiduguri.
Spokesman of NCoS, Umar Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, on Sunday.
Recent flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State, has been devastating.
The floods, caused by the collapse of the Alau Dam, after heavy rainfall, have submerged large parts of the city, displacing over a million people and resulting in at least 30 deaths.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has been actively involved in rescue operations, saving over 400 individuals trapped by the floodwaters.
Umar said the service was in custody of the details of the missing inmates, including their biometrics.
He said, “The flood brought down the walls of the correctional facilities, including the medium security custodial centre Maiduguri (MSCC) 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.
“However, it is important to note that the service is in custody of their details, including their biometrics, which is 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 look out for them.
“Presently, a total of seven (7) inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody, while efforts are on ground to track down the rest and bring them back to safe custody.
“While this effort is on, the public is assured that the incidence does not impede or affect public safety.”
