Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has said 281 inmates were missing following recent devastating Maiduguri flood.

Counting the loss of NCoS in the flood that left over 50 percent of Maiduguri and its environs submerged in water, the spokesman of the Service, Umar Abubakar, said: The unfortunate incident has left scars, bringing down the walls of the correctional facilities, including the medium security custodial centre Maiduguri (MSCC) as well as the staff quarters in the City.

He revealed that: Upon the evacuation of inmates by officers of the service with support from sister security agencies to a safe and secure facility, 281 inmates were observed to be missing.

He added that the service is in custody of their details, including their biometrics.

He said: The service is working in synergy with other security agencies as both covert and overt deployments have been activated to look out for them, adding that: Presently, a total of seven (7) inmates have been recaptured and returned to custody, while efforts are on ground to track down the rest and bring them back to safe custody.

He said: While this effort is on, the public is assured that the incidence does not impede or affect public safety.

Founded on January 22, 1995, THISDAY is published by THISDAY NEWSPAPERS LTD., 35 Creek Road Apapa, Lagos, Nigeria with offices in 36 states of Nigeria , the Federal Capital Territory and around the world. It is Nigeria’s most authoritative news media available on all platforms for the political, business, professional and diplomatic elite and broader middle classes while serving as the meeting point of new ideas, culture and technology for the aspirationals and millennials. The newspaper is a public trust dedicated to the pursuit of truth and reason covering a range of issues from breaking news to politics, business, the markets, the arts, sports and community to the crossroads of people and society.

You can email us at: hello@thisdaylive.com or visit our contact us page.