<p>At least 119 inmates escaped a medium security jail in Nigeria, as heavy rains on Wednesday (Apr 24) night damaged the colonial-era prison facility in Suleja, near the Nigerian Capital of Abuja.</p>

<h2><strong>Attempts to recapture escaped prisoners underway</strong></h2>

<p>Nigerian prison service spokesperson Adamu Duza in a statement said that the hours-long downpour had "wreaked havoc" on the jail leading "to the escape of a total of one hundred and nineteen inmates of the facility".</p>

<p>AFP reports that Duza assured that a manhunt was underway to recapture the escaped prisoners and that 10 are back in custody.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/vampire-facials-lead-to-women-catching-hiv-cdc-reports-cases-of-transmission-via-cosmetic-procedures-715134">'Vampire facials' lead to women catching HIV; CDC reports cases of transmission via cosmetic procedures</a></strong></p>

<p>"We are in hot chase to recapture the rest," Duza said, as reported by Reuters.</p>

<p>Duza blamed the dilapidated conditions of the "colonial era" Nigerian prison for the grand escape. He also said that authorities were working to replace "all ageing facilities".&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Public cautioned</strong></h2>

<p>The prison service spokesperson asked people to be on the lookout for fleeing inmates and report to security personnel about any suspicious people.</p>

<p>"The public is further enjoined to look out for the fleeing inmates and report any suspicious movement to the nearest security agency," said Dunza.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-police-shoot-down-an-indian-origin-man-while-trying-to-nab-him-for-assault-715186">US police shoot dead Indian-origin man while trying to nab him for assault</a></strong></p>

<p>He failed to reveal details about the escaped prisoners or their affiliations. However, as per Reuters, "in the past members of the Boko Haram Islamist insurgent group have been locked up in Suleja prison".</p>

<h2><strong>Nigeria and Prison Breaks</strong></h2>

<p>In recent years, due to the weak infrastructure and militant attacks, prison breaks have become very common in Nigeria.</p>

<p>As per Reuters, prison breaks have become a major security concern in the country where "overcrowding, underfunding, and lax security measures have created conditions ripe for escape".</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Suleja prison break: Over 118 prisoners escaped from prison</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/suleja-prison-break-over-118-prisoners-escaped-from-prison-715094/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>In one of the most&nbsp;brazen attacks&nbsp;in 2022,&nbsp;militants broke into Nigeria's Kuje security prison on the outskirts of Abuja with explosives and heavy guns. The prison break led to the&nbsp;freeing of more than 800 inmates.</p>

<p>"The Service is not unmindful of the fact that many of its facilities were built during the colonial era and that they are old and weak," said Duza. In addition, he mentioned that the service is "working frantically" towards modernising its prisons, which involves the construction of six new facilities with a capacity of 3,000 each, as well as renovation of the current ones.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


At least 119 inmates escaped a medium security jail in Nigeria, as heavy rains on Wednesday (Apr 24) night damaged the colonial-era prison facility in Suleja, near the Nigerian Capital of Abuja.

At least 119 inmates escaped a medium security jail in Nigeria, as heavy rains on Wednesday (Apr 24) night damaged the colonial-era prison facility in Suleja, near the Nigerian Capital of Abuja. Attempts to recapture escaped prisoners underway Nigerian prison service spokesperson Adamu Duza in a statement said that the hours-long downpour had "wreaked havoc" on the jail leading "to the escape of a total of one hundred and nineteen inmates of the facility". AFP reports that Duza assured that a manhunt was underway to recapture the escaped prisoners and that 10 are back in custody. Also read | 'Vampire facials' lead to women catching HIV; CDC reports cases of transmission via cosmetic procedures "We are in hot chase to recapture the rest," Duza said, as reported by Reuters. Duza blamed the dilapidated conditions of the "colonial era" Nigerian prison for the grand escape. He also said that authorities were working to replace "all ageing facilities". Public cautioned The prison service spokesperson asked people to be on the lookout for fleeing inmates and report to security personnel about any suspicious people. "The public is further enjoined to look out for the fleeing inmates and report any suspicious movement to the nearest security agency," said Dunza. Also read | US police shoot dead Indian-origin man while trying to nab him for assault He failed to reveal details about the escaped prisoners or their affiliations. However, as per Reuters, "in the past members of the Boko Haram Islamist insurgent group have been locked up in Suleja prison". Nigeria and Prison Breaks In recent years, due to the weak infrastructure and militant attacks, prison breaks have become very common in Nigeria. As per Reuters, prison breaks have become a major security concern in the country where "overcrowding, underfunding, and lax security measures have created conditions ripe for escape". Watch | Suleja prison break: Over 118 prisoners escaped from prison In one of the most brazen attacks in 2022, militants broke into Nigeria's Kuje security prison on the outskirts of Abuja with explosives and heavy guns. The prison break led to the freeing of more than 800 inmates. "The Service is not unmindful of the fact that many of its facilities were built during the colonial era and that they are old and weak," said Duza. In addition, he mentioned that the service is "working frantically" towards modernising its prisons, which involves the construction of six new facilities with a capacity of 3,000 each, as well as renovation of the current ones. (With inputs from agencies)

Nigeria: At least 119 criminals escape after heavy rains damage 'colonial-era' prison in Suleja

About 118 inmates escaped from a prison facility in Nigeria and the incident took place on Wednesday night according to a prison service spokesperson. Watch in for more details!

Suleja prison break: Over 118 prisoners escape from a facility near Nigerian capital

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Nigeria: At least 119 criminals escape after heavy rains damage 'colonial-era' prison in Suleja

Suleja prison break: Over 118 prisoners escape from a facility near Nigerian capital