Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has directed security agencies to intensify efforts to recapture two inmates who allegedly escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Jimeta, Yola.
The escape has triggered a security response involving the Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, with operatives deployed to track down the suspects.
Sources familiar with the development told West Trybe that the two inmates were among suspects transferred from Mubi to the Jimeta custodial facility about three weeks ago over allegations of political thuggery and related offences.
The incident occurred shortly after Governor Fintiri vowed during a visit to Mubi that his administration would dismantle criminal networks linked to political violence and other security threats in the area.
The governor had pledged that individuals found responsible for insecurity would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Sources within the correctional system alleged that the suspects were moved to the Specialist Hospital, Yola, on medical grounds after their transfer to the custodial centre, where they allegedly escaped while receiving treatment.
One of the sources claimed that the inmates were granted unusual privileges during their hospital stay, which allegedly enabled their escape.
“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.”
Another source said Governor Fintiri was angered after receiving a briefing on the development and immediately directed security agencies to ensure the suspects were rearrested.
“Governor Fintiri was angry after being briefed on the incident and directed security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the escapees.”
The sources further alleged that some individuals had previously attempted to interfere with efforts to prosecute suspected political thugs, but said the governor remained determined to ensure that suspects faced the law.
“This time, the governor is said to have insisted that they must be rearrested and made to face the law.”
However, efforts by Politics Pulse to obtain official confirmation from the Nigerian Correctional Service were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Reporters who visited the NCoS headquarters in Yola were informed that the State Comptroller, Abduljalil Odunlami Ajani, was away on an official inspection of the Yolde Pate custodial facility.
Officials requested the reporters’ contacts and promised to respond after the Comptroller’s return, but no official statement had been issued.
A subsequent visit to the facility also failed to produce an official reaction, with officials saying the Comptroller was unavailable while the Public Relations Officer was reportedly unwell.
West Trybe reports that the Nigerian Correctional Service had neither confirmed nor denied the alleged escape as of the time of filing, leaving unanswered questions over the circumstances surrounding the incident and the ongoing efforts to locate the suspects.
The development comes amid renewed concerns over custodial security and the handling of suspects linked to political violence and other criminal activities in parts of Adamawa State.
