Eleven weeks after 69 inmates escaped from the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre in Niger State, the federal government has finally published their identities.
Recall that the 69 fleeing inmates were among 119 inmates of the correctional facility who reportedly escaped from the facility on the night of Wednesday April 24, 2024.
The escaped inmates took the advantage of unfortunate collapse of the facility’s perimeter wall following a heavy downpour on Wednesday, 24 April, 2024 to escape from the centre.
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) in a statement by its spokesperson, Abubakar Umar, explained that the step became pertinent in an effort to recapture the convicts and bring them back.
Umar, who further explained that the decision to release the names and photographs of the escapees was reached by concerned authorities to help sister security agencies as well as the general public to look out for the fugitives in an attempt to recapture them.
The statement enjoined the general public to cooperate with the Service to recapture the fleeing inmates, noting that they pose danger to public safety and national security.
He added that the NCoS had earlier deployed overt and covert strategies towards recapturing all escapees, while ensuring that security in custodial facilities nationwide is beefed up to forestall any security breaches.
According to him, “If any of the escapees is sighted, the public can report to the nearest security agent or agency or may call the following numbers: 07087086005, 09060004598, or 08075050006. The public can also contact us through our email on: info@corrections.gov.ng or complaintsresponsedesk@corrections.gov.ng