More than 38 awaiting trial detainees have reportedly escaped from police custody in Enugu state, Nigeria.
The suspects were arrested, arraigned and remanded in the custody of the State Police Command during the COVID19 pandemic lockdown in the state.
The inmates numbering between 38 and 40 escaped from the police cells at the State Criminal Investigation Department, inside the State Police Headquarters on Sunday night December 20.
It is gathered that some of the inmates were remanded in police cells by magistrates’ courts during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The offenders were kept in the police custody because of the congestion of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Enugu.
In its reaction, the state police command said in a statement signed by its spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe, titled: ‘Escape of suspects from police custody: CP directs intense investigation and re-arrest of fleeing detainees, enjoins citizens to assist the police with credible information’, said only 17 detainees escaped while five had been re-arrested.