FG keeps mum over recent jailbreak, says details of Inmates escape can’t be disclosed publicly
The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has acknowledged the escape of inmates from the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) facility in Maiduguri, Borno State, following a flood caused by the collapse of the Alau Dam.
Speaking on Wednesday during a visit to the prison in the New Prison area, the minister emphasised that details of the incident could not be publicly disclosed due to security concerns, assuring that necessary actions are being taken.
The flood, which occurred on Tuesday, breached sections of the prison, allowing inmates to escape. According to sources within the facility, at least 400 inmates fled during the disaster, which submerged nearly 70 percent of Maiduguri.
During a briefing at the Government House in Maiduguri, Tunji-Ojo expressed his sympathy for the people of Borno State and described the flood as a tragic event.
He reassured the public that the federal government, under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, is committed to addressing the disaster’s aftermath.
The minister also refuted reports claiming that prisoners were shot during the incident.
He confirmed that other federal facilities, including the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Federal Fire Service in Maiduguri, were similarly affected by the flood.
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.
