Tension: Two High-Profile Inmates Allegedly Escape Custody at NCoS Yola‎

YOLA —By Ojoma Yusuf,Yola

‎‎Medium Security Custodial Centre in Jimeta Yola has being thrown into tension,following the alleged escape of two inmates described by security sources as politically exposed suspects who were recently transferred from Mubi over alleged political thuggery and related offences.‎‎The alleged escape has triggered a coordinated manhunt by security agencies amid concerns over possible lapses in custodial security and the handling of high-profile detainees.‎‎Multiple sources familiar with developments at the correctional facility told this newspaper that the suspects were transferred to the Jimeta custodial centre about three weeks ago following a security crackdown on suspected political thugs in Mubi and surrounding communities.‎‎The crackdown followed governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s public declaration during a recent visit to Mubi that his administration would dismantle criminal networks allegedly linked to political violence and other violent crimes in the area. The governor had vowed to ensure those responsible for insecurity were arrested and prosecuted.‎‎According to sources within the correctional system, the two inmates allegedly received preferential treatment after arriving at the facility.‎‎The sources claimed that the suspects were later transferred to the Specialist Hospital, Yola, on medical grounds, where they were allegedly granted unusual privileges while receiving treatment.‎‎”They were transferred from Mubi as part of the crackdown on political thuggery. However, there were alleged compromises within the system which gave them special concessions,” one source alleged.‎‎The source further claimed that the inmates were allowed unrestricted movement during their hospital stay and were allegedly permitted to leave the premises at night before eventually disappearing.‎‎”It was during that period that they allegedly escaped. Since then, no one has been able to account for their whereabouts,” the source said.‎‎Sources also alleged that governor Fintiri expressed anger after being briefed on the incident and directed security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the escapees.‎‎According to the sources, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been placed on alert to track down the fugitives.‎‎”There have always been allegations that influential individuals interfere whenever attempts are made to prosecute some of these suspected political thugs. This time, the governor is said to have insisted that they must be rearrested and made to face the law,” another source alleged.‎‎Efforts by this newspaper to obtain an official response from the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) were unsuccessful.‎‎A team of journalists that visited the NCoS headquarters in Yola on Thursday was informed that the State Comptroller, Abduljalil Odunlami Ajani, was away on an official inspection of the Yolde Pate custodial facility. Officials requested the reporters’ contact details and promised to provide a response upon the Comptroller’s return, but none was received.‎‎When journalists returned on Friday, they were told by the Deputy Public Relations Officer that he was not authorised to comment on the matter in the absence of his superior. He, however, assured reporters that he would brief the Comptroller and facilitate an official response.‎‎As of the close of business on Friday, the Nigerian Correctional Service had not issued any statement regarding the alleged escape.‎‎A further visit to the facility on Monday morning also yielded no official response. Journalists were informed that the Comptroller was not in the office, while the Public Relations Officer was reportedly unwell and his deputy had travelled to the Yolde correctional facility.‎‎As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerian Correctional Service had yet to confirm or deny the alleged escape or provide details of any ongoing investigation.