Overpopulation: FG To Relocate Inmates From Suleja Facility After Jailbreak

The Nigerian government is considering relocating the Medium Security Custodial Centre from Suleja in Niger State.

The consideration is due to the escape of about 119 inmates who left the facility due to damage caused by a heavy rainstorm on Wednesday night.

This was confirmed in a press statement issued by the spokesperson, Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Adamu Duza, on Thursday.

According to the statement, the rainfall severely damaged the prison facility’s infrastructure, including a hole in the perimeter fence that allowed the inmates to escape.

It was learnt that the correctional services officers tried their best to recapture the inmates but they ended up with re-arresting only 10 of the escaped inmates.

During a visit to the centre on Thursday, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo stated that there was possibility of relocation of some inmates in the facility because of overpopulation.

The minister revealed that the facility houses 499 inmates, as opposed to the expected 250 that it was initially built for.

While responding to the development, the spokesperson for the NCoS, Federal Capital Territory Command, Adamu Duza, was said to have disclosed the command was collaborating with other security agencies to recapture the remaining fleeing inmates, adding that their database would soon be made known to the public.