Over 270 Inmates Escape Nigerian Prison Amid Flooding

Severe flooding in Maiduguri, Nigeria, has led to the escape of at least 281 inmates from a prison, with seven recaptured so far. The flooding, caused by the collapse of a dam due to heavy rainfall, has resulted in widespread devastation, displacing over 386,000 people and causing at least 30 deaths. The Nigerian Correctional Service has confirmed that the prison walls were destroyed, allowing inmates to flee during a transfer to a secure facility. Authorities are actively searching for the remaining escapees and have made their identities public. The flooding has been described as the worst in decades and is anticipated to exacerbate food insecurity in the region. This incident highlights the broader humanitarian crisis affecting northeastern Nigeria due to the prolonged rainy season.