The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) says it has recaptured 48 fleeing inmates of the Owerri prison.

The recaptured inmates escaped from the facility on Monday, when gunmen invaded it, setting free 1,844 inmates.

The NCoS Spokesman, Mr Francis Enobore, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr Enobore noted that peace had gradually returned to the Owerri prison following Monday’s attack on the facility.

He added, “The 48 inmates recaptured as at 1550hrs today (Wednesday) increases the number of inmates presently in custody to 84.

“This includes those that resisted the temptation to escape during the attack.”

Mr Enobore added, “Among the escapees, 11 were recaptured by men of the 211 Nigerian Airforce Base, Owerri while others either came back on their own volition or were returned by their relations, traditional rulers and religious leaders.”

However, the acting Comptroller-General of the NCoS, John Mrabure, charged all prison officials in the Imo command to go after the fleeing inmates and smoke them out of hiding at all cost.

Mr Mrabure read the riot act during the interactive session with personnel attached to the facility, including those at the state headquarters.

He further asked them to brace for “frontally resisting emerging security challenges” confronting the nation and, by extension, the NCoS.

The NCoS boss thanked other security agencies for fortifying prisons across the county and in the ‘Search and Recover’ exercise.

Mr Mrabure equally commended other individuals and groups for their patriotic disposition in returning some of the fleeing inmates to the prison.

He appealed for more support to bring that the remaining hundreds of the fleeing inmates.