13 inmates escape from Sokoto Remand Home

Head of the Sokoto Remand Home, Alhaji Dahiru Lawal,
on Thursday said 13 inmates had escaped from the
centre in the last two years due to the poor state of its
facilities.
Lawal disclosed this in Sokoto when he received a
donation from an NGO, Housewives Initiative
Development Association,
He appealed to the Sokoto State Government to
undertake massive rehabilitation of the centre which
was in very deplorable condition.
Lawal said that the Home, which served as reformatory
for convicted juveniles, required urgent government
support, to enable it discharge its responsibility more
effectively.
The official said that the inmates were able to escape
due to the poor state of facilities at the centre.
“The inmates dug a hole under one of the windows of
their cell and fled. It had been repaired and seven of
them were re-arrested.
“Four of the escapees surrendered themselves to the
court while two are still at large.”
Lawal disclosed that the Home currently has sixteen
inmates who were either jailed or placed on remand for
offences ranging from armed robbery, theft, rape,
sodomy, among others.
The official, therefore, urged the state government to
rehabilitate the facility “which is now in a serious state
of dilapidation.”
He also solicited for the provision of a borehole, clinic,
vehicle and other facilities to the centre.
Lawal commended the association for the donation,
saying that it would support efforts at rehabilitating the
inmates.
Earlier, Chairperson of the association, Mrs Hassana
Dangaskiya said that the intervention by the group was
to alleviate the suffering of the inmates.
She appealed to wealthy individuals and organizations
to complement the efforts of the state government in
funding the operations of the home.
One of the inmates, Muhammad Sani commended the
association for the gesture, saying,” we are happy that
some people have remembered those of us living in this
pitiable condition.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the
association donated assorted foodstuffs, detergents
and toiletries to the remand home. (NAN)