Flood: Federal Gov’t Keeps Mum Over Reported Escape Of Inmates From Borno Prison

The Minister of Interior, Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has said that the reported escape of some inmates from the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital is a security issue that could not be disclosed to the public until necessary actions are taken.

The Minister stated this on Wednesday when he visited the NCoS facility in the New Prison area of Maiduguri where Tuesday’s flood following the collapse of Alau Dam, pulled down some section of the prison from where some inmates escaped.

Fresh facts emerging from sources within the facility, which was disclosed to our correspondent said no fewer than 400 of the inmates escaped during the flood disaster that equally submerged 70 percent of the city of Maiduguri.

Hon Tunji-Ojo however during an interview with Journalists at the Government House in Maiduguri, described the flood disaster as sad one and empathised with the people of Borno State over the incident.

The Minister added that the federal government under the administration of President Bola Tinubu is very much concerned about that disaster, assuring the people that government will make things right.

He refuted the report that some prisoners were shot, but said that the Nigeria Immigration Service facility at the Customs area of Maiduguri was equally affected by the flood in addition to that of the Federal Fire Service.

He said, “In the aspect of the facility of NCoS, actions are presently ongoing and there are certain things that cannot be disclosed now for security reasons, but we are on top of the situation.

“The Immigration office was equally affected. The people of Borno can be rest assured that when we get to Abuja, we will try as soon as possible, with immediate effect to create another centre the Immigration Service can start their normal activities.

“The Fire Service was equally affected, but all these are minimal compared to the generality of the impact of the flood to the people of Borno State. They can be rest assured that president Bola Tinubu will not leave them alone. Nobody was shot in the NCoS facility. It is a serious issue, we are on top of the situation.

“The details is what we cannot disclose now pending when we finish working on what we are doing. Be rest assured that everything is 100 percent under control,” the minister said.