Severe flooding in Maiduguri, Borno State following the Alau Dam failure, led to a prison break on Tuesday, with an unconfirmed number of inmates escaping from the city’s Custodial facility.
The prison authorities have confirmed that the escapees are considered highly dangerous and may be armed.
Among those suspected missing is the Lagos cleric, Rev. King, who has been awaiting execution in the Maiduguri Correctional Centre for about 15 years.
This incident may increase security threats in the state, which is already facing challenges from terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements.
“As the prison’s defenses crumbled, inmates seized the opportunity to flee, prompting immediate response from the security agencies on duty. In an effort to regain control, security personnel began firing shots into the air in a bid to intimidate and prevent further escapes” said an eye witness.
Authorities have confirmed that the escapees are highly dangerous and may be armed, posing a heightened risk to public safety in the region already affected by insurgency.
Law enforcement agencies are now conducting a manhunt to locate and recapture the escaped inmates, with additional resources being mobilised for this purpose.
