Several inmates have escaped from a prison facility in Borno State after severe flooding compromised its security infrastructure.
The incident occurred on Tuesday due to severe flooding resulting from the overflow of the Alau dam in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital. Raging floods had caused extensive damage to the prison and other facilities in the city.
The prison authorities, according to Leadership confirmed that the escapees were considered highly dangerous, stressing that they may be armed.
The development may heighten security threats in the state, occasioned by the activities of terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.
It was, however, gathered that a manhunt is underway to locate and recapture the escaped inmates, with law enforcement agencies mobilising additional resources.
This incident adds to the mounting challenges facing Borno State, which has been struggling with the effects of heavy rainfall, displacing thousands of residents and disrupting daily life.
Maiduguri is facing its most severe flooding since 1994, with residents on high alert as rising waters have submerged numerous homes.
In addition to the security breach at the prison, many homes and businesses have been inundated, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The flood is reportedly due to the overflow of the Alau Dam, which has been filled to capacity for the past week.
In a statement issued early Tuesday, Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar called for the immediate evacuation of affected areas.
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Tar also urged residents in the affected areas to follow designated evacuation routes for their safety.
He said, “Due to the unusually high volume of water this year, we urge all the residents living along the river bank to take immediate action to protect themselves and their properties.”
“The Alau Dam water has broken down another channel that is currently destroying farms and the water is heading toward the river bank.”
The National Emergency Management Agency reported that recent floods have damaged approximately 16,488 hectares of farmland across 27 states. Additionally, over 32,000 houses were destroyed, and about 227,000 people were impacted, according to data from emergency agencies.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abdullahi Sabi Aliyu equally noted that up to 51% of Nigeria’s farming areas are at risk of flooding in 2024.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, warned that the ongoing floods will negatively affect this year’s anticipated harvest.
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