The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has disclosed the names and pictures of an additional 21 inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State. The breakout, involving 118 inmates, occurred on April 24 when heavy rainfall compromised the prison walls.
Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo attributed the incident to the aged and weakened state of the facility’s walls, and assured that the federal government would take steps to prevent such occurrences in the future.
On June 6, NCoS spokesperson Abubakar Umar announced the recapture of 23 escapees. Later, on June 15, the NCoS published the names of 18 remaining fugitives on its website. These fugitives include: Ogbonna Kingsley, Auwal Mohammed, Mustapha Ibrahim, Suleiman Sani, Raphael Kelly, Abdullahi Babangida, Idris Bashir, Umar Mustapha, Ayuba Obedience, Lamido Gambo, Garba Fidelis, Mohammed Jibrin, Sylvester Allison, Albert Israel, Edoga Okwudili, Olaiya Stephen, Ibrahim Aminu, and Audu Usman.
On Thursday, Abubakar Umar released the names and pictures of 13 still-missing escapees, bringing the total number of publicly identified fugitives to 31. The newly listed names include: Tasiu Mohammed, Philip Ola, Mohammed Lawal, Buba Bello, Biyo Flamingo, Onyedikachi Emeka, Augustine Uden, Gambo Lamido, Sani Muhajid, Abubakar Hashiru, Haruna Salisu, Solomon Gkwangurum, and Aliyu Ismaila.
The NCoS has employed both “overt and covert” strategies to ensure the recapture of the escapees, urging the public and sister security agencies to assist. Contact options for reporting sightings have been provided.
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