More than 270 prisoners escaped from a prison in Maiduguri after severe floods damaged the facility. Heavy rainfall caused a nearby dam to collapse, which led to widespread flooding. The flood damaged the prison walls, allowing inmates to flee. Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, now faces widespread devastation. So far, authorities have recaptured seven prisoners and continue to search for the others.
The flooding has displaced hundreds of thousands of residents. Many people left their homes due to rising waters. The disaster has claimed at least 30 lives. The number of displaced residents continues to increase as the flooding worsens. Authorities are struggling to manage the effects of the floods, which are creating a major crisis in the region.
Borno Governor Babagana Zulum described the damage as “beyond human imagination.” He expressed concern over the extensive destruction caused by the flooding. The state’s resources and response teams are overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster. For the first time, Nigerian authorities confirmed the large number of escaped prisoners.
The Nigerian Correctional Service explained that inmates fled during an attempted transfer. The flood severely damaged the prison’s walls, making it vulnerable to escape. The medium-security prison suffered extensive damage after the dam collapse. Authorities are actively working to recapture the escaped inmates while providing relief to flood victims. This disaster adds to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Maiduguri, already suffering from conflict and environmental issues.
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