Over 100 inmates have managed to escape from a prison near Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, after heavy rains caused damage to part of the facility. The Suleja Prison originally had 118 prisoners flee, but authorities have been able to recapture 10 of them.
A manhunt is now underway to locate the remaining escaped inmates, with concerns being raised about the potential danger some of them may pose. The prison authorities have assured the public that they are working with other security agencies to track down the fugitives and have urged people to go about their daily activities without fear.
The prison emphasized that the recent heavy rainfall, which marks the beginning of the rainy season following a period of intense heat, had weakened the prison’s infrastructure. Many of the facilities in Suleja, located about 30 miles from Abuja, were constructed during the colonial era and are now showing signs of aging.
This incident is not the first prison break in Nigeria, as over 5,000 inmates have escaped from various facilities since 2020. Two years ago, a raid on another prison in Abuja led to more than 400 prisoners escaping, resulting in casualties among inmates, security guards, and attackers.
