Police re-arrest escaped Suleja inmate, 13 others

The Niger State Police Command has rearrested an inmate who escaped from the Suleja Correctional Centre during the 2024 jailbreak. Thirteen other suspects were also apprehended for various criminal offences across the state.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the escaped inmate, identified as Jemilu Ibrahim, was captured by a police surveillance team attached to ‘B’ Division, Suleja. He was intercepted during a patrol along the Suleja–Madalla Road after being found with illicit substances, ATM cards, and mobile phones.

Further investigation revealed that Ibrahim had previously been prosecuted for armed robbery and was among inmates who escaped when part of the Suleja Correctional Centre collapsed during a heavy downpour in 2024.

SP Abiodun confirmed that the suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna for onward return to the Correctional Centre.

In a related operation, the Command also arrested two suspected armed robbers and ten others for possession of dangerous weapons and illicit drugs.

Abiodun explained that the arrests were part of ongoing efforts to rid Niger State of criminal elements and ensure public safety.

He added that several items, including ATM cards, SIM cards, and identification cards, were recovered from another suspect, identified as Stephen, who operates two shops in the area.

The suspect, however, claimed that the bag containing the recovered items belonged to a man known as “Daddy,” said to be a soldier who left it as collateral for unpaid services rendered months ago.