About 108 inmates have been recaptured out of the 275 that escaped from the Medium Security Prison, Minna, Niger State, and last week.
The Nigeria Prison Service stated that the prisoners were apprehended through the combined efforts of the Nigerian Army, the police, the Department of State Services and prison personnel as well as cooperation by surrounding communities.
With the 108 back to the prison, 166 others remained at large.
A statement by the NPS spokesman, Ope Fatinikun, on Monday in Abuja said the total number of inmates in custody was 157, including the 49 that did not escape.
It added that the search for the other fugitives was ongoing.
The statement said that the Controller- General of Prisons, Dr. Peter Ekpendu, appealed to communities and neighbouring states of Kwara, Kaduna, Kebbi and the Federal Capital Territory to be vigilant and to watch out for any suspicious movement and report such to the nearest police or prisons formations.
“Once again, the Controller-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 said.
