The authorities of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) may have released the biometric details of fleeing inmates of the Suleja medium security custodial centre to all security agencies to enable them to recapture 105 of the inmates who are still at large, The Nation gathered on Sunday, April 28.
It was learnt that so far only 13 of the inmates have been recaptured and brought back to the 250 capacity custodial centre located in Suleja, about 80km from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The fleeing inmates escaped from the facility Wednesday night following torrential rainfall and storms which pulled down part of the buildings and its perimeter fence.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo immediately visited the facility alongside senior government officials to see the extent of damage and obtain further information regarding the escaped prisoners.
Our correspondent gathered at the weekend that security agencies are working in synergy “24/7 “to re-arrest the escapees.
Sources further disclosed that the Minister of Interior has been working throughout the weekend and on the lookout for the recapturing of the fleeing inmates.
Besides the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of States Security Service (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), it was learnt that other security forces have been alerted to spread their networks to ensure the re-arrest of the fleeing inmates.
“In response to this incident, the Nigerian Correctional Service promptly activated its recapturing protocols and so far has successfully recovered 13 of the escaped inmates.
“Collaborative efforts with other security agencies are ongoing to recapture the 105 fleeing inmates on the run,” Umar Abubakar, the national public relations officer of the NCoS said.
Providing an update on the escapees, Abubakar told our correspondent that the security services are always working in synergy in a situation like this, stressing that the escapees would be rearrested in time.
Asked if the security agencies are already in possession of the biometric details of fleeing inmates, Abubakar said: “You know we work in synergy, you will soon hear the results of our collective efforts.
“I can tell you that since the incident, all the security architecture of the country is working in synergy to recapture the escapees as soon as possible more importantly because of its implications for the country. I can assure that we will recapture them. We have recaptured 13, the remaining 105 will be recaptured any time soon.”
END.