Niger Jailbreak: 18 Days After, 100 Escaped Inmates Database Yet To Be Released As Stakeholders Raise Security Concerns

 

Eighteen days after some inmates escaped from the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre in Niger State, the Nigeria Correctional Service is yet to publish the database containing the information of the fleeing inmates.

Meanwhile, stakeholders have frowned at the delay in publishing the database.

They argued that timely dissemination of information was crucial for public safety and law enforcement efforts.

Osun Defender reports that on April 24, 2024, a total of 119 inmates escaped from the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, Niger State after a heavy downpour caused significant damage to the facility, resulted in a breach of the perimeter fence.

The spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Abubakar Umar, on May 05, said, “A total of 19 fleeing inmates have been recaptured so far.”

The stakeholders called for swift action and increased transparency from the relevant authorities to ensure the prompt recapture of the escaped inmates and the safety of the community.

A former Commissioner of Police, Lawrence Alobi, who spoke with The Punch, emphasised that it was crucial for the NCoS to promptly inform the public about the escaped inmates.

Alobi noted that it is imperative to publish the inmates’ database as soon as possible.

He said, “The NCoS ought to have made the information of the fleeing inmates known to the public. The members of the public are the ones that can identify them to notify the security agencies for their arrests.

“The NCoS ought to have done the needful before now. Some of the fleeing inmates might have even left the country.

“The inaction of the NCoS is causing some concerns among security agencies and members of the public.

“The earlier they publish the database of the inmates, the better.

Also, a security expert, Oladele Fajana, highlighted that the delay poses significant security threats to Nigerians’ lives.

Fajana said, “The delay by the NCoS is a security threat. I do not know why the Federal Government is delaying the database of these inmates.

“As it is now, we are under the challenge of security threats. The FG should always jump into action whenever such incidents occur.”

Another security expert, Chidi Omeje, said the NCoS lacked a database of the escaped inmates while underscoring the incompetence of the officers.

Omeje noted that the fleeing inmates pose a significant threat to society.