Convicted inmate escapes after prison vehicle crashes on Potiskum-Damaturu road

The Nigerian Correctional Service in Yobe State has declared a convicted inmate wanted after he seized the opportunity of a road accident to flee from custody while being transported between two correctional facilities.

The escape occurred on April 13 when a vehicle conveying inmates from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Potiskum to Damaturu was involved in a road traffic accident.

While officials were attending to injured victims at the scene, the inmate slipped away.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Adamu, who disclosed the incident in an official notice on Wednesday, identified the fugitive as Dahiru Mohammed, 30, from Askiwari village via Tarmuwa.

Mohammed, who bears prison number J/1539/24, was admitted into custody on November 29, 2024.

The command described Mohammed as dangerous and warned members of the public against approaching or engaging with him directly.

“The escaped individual is considered dangerous and members of the public are advised not to have any personal dealings with him,” Adamu said.

Anyone with information on Mohammed’s whereabouts is urged to report immediately to the nearest police station or correctional facility.

Emergency contact lines provided by the command include 07038397460, 07063348987, the MSCC Potiskum Duty Office on 08062211873, and the Yobe State Command headquarters on 08038452982.

The command also warned that sheltering the fugitive constitutes a criminal offence punishable under Nigerian law.