Prisoners flee after Nigeria floods damage jail

Nigerian authorities have confirmed that over 270 inmates are currently missing following a jailbreak caused by severe flooding in Maiduguri, a city in the northeastern part of the country. The floods, triggered by the collapse of a dam after heavy rainfall, damaged a medium-security prison, leading to the mass escape. So far, only seven of the escaped inmates have been recaptured. Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, has been severely affected by the floods, with several hundred thousand people displaced and at least 30 reported dead. Governor Babagana Zulum described the devastation as "beyond human imagination." This is the first time the government has acknowledged the number of inmates who fled the prison.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) reported that as the prison's walls were compromised, they began transferring inmates to a safer facility. During this transfer, several inmates took advantage of the situation and managed to escape. Among those on the run, some are believed to be members of the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, although it's unclear how many fugitives are linked to the group's violent activities.

Umar Abubakar, a spokesperson for NCoS, assured the public that security agencies are collaborating to recapture the escapees. Photos of the missing men have been circulated, and authorities are urging the public to stay calm, emphasizing that the prison break does not pose a threat to public safety.