In a shocking turn of events, over 200 inmates have reportedly escaped from Maiduguri’s correctional facility after catastrophic flooding hit the city on Tuesday.
The incident occurred after the Alau Dam, which has been under immense pressure due to weeks of heavy rainfall, collapsed, triggering massive floods across the capital of Borno State. This marks the second time the dam has collapsed, the last occurrence being in 1994 when it displaced around 400,000 people.
The floodwaters breached the prison’s security, damaging crucial barriers and infrastructure, ultimately leading to the jailbreak. Authorities have since launched an urgent manhunt to locate and recapture the escaped convicts.
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The incident was confirmed by Zagazola Makama, a publication specializing in counter-insurgency news in the Lake Chad region, which cited high-ranking security officials.
The situation has raised widespread panic among residents, as concerns grow about the potential danger posed by the escaped inmates. As efforts to contain the flood and secure the city continue, security forces are urging citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.