Heavy Rains Trigger Prison Break As Over 100 Inmates Escape in Nigeria

After heavy rains near Abuja, Nigeria, over 100 inmates escaped from a prison in Suleja, Niger state, as the downpour destroyed the perimeter fence.

While 10 have been recaptured, authorities are searching for the rest, amid concerns they may seek refuge in nearby forests known for criminal activity.

Following a night of heavy rains near Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, more than 100 inmates broke free from a medium-security prison in Suleja, Niger state.

VerseNews reports that Adamu Duza, a prisons spokesman, reported that the downpour destroyed the perimeter fence, allowing the escape.

While 10 inmates have been recaptured, a search is ongoing for the remaining escapees, raising concerns about their potential refuge in nearby forests notorious for criminal activity.

Nigeria’s prisons, often overcrowded and antiquated, pose ongoing challenges to security. With most facilities built during the colonial era and rarely renovated, structural weaknesses facilitate escapes.

Efforts to modernize and fortify these aging facilities are underway, but instances of jailbreaks, such as the 2022 incident in Abuja where nearly 900 inmates fled, underscore the urgent need for reform and infrastructure improvement.