NIGERIAN PRISONERS ESCAPE AS FLOODS COLLAPSE PRISON WALL

It’s believed 274 inmates escaped from prison in Nigeria. The escape was made possible after heavy rains led to one of the prison walls collapsing.

Initially, the number was 281, but seven prisoners were later recaptured.

The prison is located in the country’s Borno state up north.

Nigerian Correctional Service spokesman Abubakar Umar said the staff quarters were affected as well.

“The flood brought down the walls of the correctional facilities, including the medium security custodial centre Maiduguri (MSCC) as well as the staff quarters in the city.”

Over the last few weeks, heavy rains have caused flash floods in most parts of Nigeria. The northern region of the country has been hit the hardest.

More than 640,000 people have been displaced, according to the latest data from Nigeria’s disaster management agency.

The search for the inmates is ongoing. Umar said in a statement that authorities are aware of the identities of the escapees, including their biometrics, and the information has been made available to the public.

Image credit: The Weather Channel