Manhunt begins for seven escaped inmates from Osun prison

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) says operatives have commenced a manhunt for seven inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun state, early Tuesday morning.

Abubakar Umar, NCoS spokesperson, explained that the inmates escaped around 2am after heavy rainfall damaged the facility’s perimeter wall.

Umar said Sylvester Nwakuche, the service’s controller general, has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident.

The spokesperson added that the NCoS now works with other security agencies and community leaders to recapture the fleeing inmates.

“The NCoS is committed to ensuring the escapees are returned to lawful custody,” he said in a statement.

“We are also working to reinforce the facility’s security to prevent further occurrences.”

Umar asked the public to provide credible information that could help recapture efforts.

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He listed the NCoS response desk lines as 07087086005, 09060004598, and 08075050006.

In March, about 12 inmates fled the federal correctional centre in the Koton Karfe area of Kogi in an early morning jailbreak.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, blamed officer negligence for that prison break.

Last year, 118 inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger state.

Adamu Duza, spokesperson for the federal capital territory (FCT) command of the NCoS, said those inmates escaped after heavy rainfall weakened parts of the prison, leading to a collapse.

Duza cited old infrastructure as the reason for the collapse.