The Nigerian Senate has shed light on the reason behind the recent escape of inmates from the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre, attributing it to the deteriorated state of the prison infrastructure, which was constructed with mud over a century ago.
Following a closed-door session with Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Interior, clarified that the incident at Suleja was not a typical jailbreak but rather a consequence of the dilapidated condition of the prison walls, weakened by age and recent heavy rainfall.
The escape occurred on April 24, 2024, when 118 inmates fled the Suleja Correctional Facility after heavy rain. During his visit to the facility, Tunji-Ojo indicated plans to relocate some Correctional Centres to provide improved facilities.
Senator Oshiomhole highlighted the historical context, stating, “I know exactly that this particular prison was built in 1914. I think that was the year of Southern and Northern Nigeria amalgamation for about 200 people. And they now have about 419 inmates. And some of these places were built with mud.”
He clarified that the prison wall’s collapse due to heavy rainfall was the primary cause of the incident, emphasizing that it was not a deliberate jailbreak.
Despite the escape, efforts by the Minister and security agencies have led to the re-arrest of some inmates, with ongoing efforts to track down others.
In response to the incident, the Senate expressed satisfaction with the Minister’s briefing but stressed the need to modernise prison facilities to meet contemporary standards. Senator Oshiomhole emphasized the importance of investing in correctional facilities and leveraging modern technology to enhance security.
Additionally, the Senate discussed broader issues within the criminal justice system, including the high number of individuals awaiting trial and the financial burden on states to maintain prisons.
Minister Tunji-Ojo assured that the federal government is addressing the situation and implementing measures to prevent future occurrences, affirming that the safety of inmates remains a priority.
“We will have a correctional center that is safe for all inmates,” Tunji-Ojo concluded.