Nigeria: About 270 prisoners escape after floods damage jail

Nigerian officials have reported that over 270 prisoners remain unaccounted for after a mass escape, triggered by severe flooding in Maiduguri, a city in the northeastern part of the country. 

The flood was caused by the collapse of a dam due to heavy rainfall. Authorities have confirmed that only seven escapees have been recaptured so far.

The flood has displaced hundreds of thousands of residents in Maiduguri, which is the capital of Borno State, and at least 30 lives have been lost. Governor Babagana Zulum described the destruction caused by the floods as unimaginable.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) revealed that the flooding compromised the walls of a medium-security prison, leading to an ongoing transfer of inmates. During the evacuation process, several prisoners managed to escape. While it has been confirmed that some of the escapees are linked to the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, the exact number remains unclear.

NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar assured the public that efforts are underway to recapture the fugitives, in collaboration with security agencies. The service has released photographs of the missing inmates and emphasized that the escape does not pose a threat to public safety.