108 inmates out of the 275 that escaped during a jail break at the Medium Security Prison in Minna, Niger State last week, have been recaptured, the Nigeria Prison Service has said.
It stated that the fugitives were apprehended through the combined efforts of the Nigerian Army, Police, Department of State Services, Prison personnel and cooperation of surrounding communities.
However, 166 other inmates are still at large.
A statement by the NPS spokesman, Ope Fatinikun, on Monday in Abuja, said the total number of inmates presently in custody was 157 including 49 others that did not escape.
It added that search for the other fugitives was ongoing.
The statement noted that the Comptroller-General of Prisons, Dr. Peter Ekpendu, who was recently appointed in the wake of the prison break, appealed to communities and surrounding states of Kwara, Kaduna, Kebbi and the Federal Capital Territory to be vigilant and to watch out for any suspicious movement around and report such to the nearest Police or Prisons formations.
“Once again, the Comptroller-General of Prisons wishes to reassure the general public that from all investigations so far, there was no external or Boko Haram attack in the Prison’s escape incidence”, the statement added.
