Many inmates have escaped from a prison facility in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital on Tuesday, amid severe flooding.
The facility located along Custom Road, which houses some of the state’s most dangerous inmates, sustained significant damage, resulting in an unconfirmed number of prisoners escaping.
Authorities confirmed that the escapees were considered highly dangerous and may be armed, heightening the threat to public safety in the State already facing insurgency.
However, a manhunt is underway to locate and recapture the escaped inmates, with law enforcement agencies mobilising additional resources.
Major roads, houses, and shops in Maiduguri metropolis, and parts of the Jere Local Government Area have been submerged by floodwaters.
The Shehu’s Palace, the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, and Sanda Kyarimi Park Zoo were some of the public infrastructure submerged by flood.
The Abbaganaram, Custom Road along which the flooded prison is located, Tashan Bama, Custom Road, Monday Market, Gamboru Market Custom Area, Cattle Market in old Maiduguri, Gwange area, Lagos Street are all communities affected by the flood.
Major roads within the state capital including the Post-Office Roundabout which links major locations in the capital are flooded thereby cutting off vehicular movement within the metropolis.
The Maiduguri Zoo’s popularity known as Sanda Kyarimi Zoo Park was flooded too. The General Manager of the zoo, Ali Abatcha, said 80% of the animals in the zoo have been killed by the flood while the others have escaped into the city capital.
Thousands of residents living along waterways and flood-prone areas have been displaced, the majority of whom are women and children.
Several shop owners and small-scale businesses are also affected by the flood.
Chai, too bad.i pity the women and the children.