ILESA, Osun State – Seven inmates vanished from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa during the early hours of Tuesday. The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) confirmed this Osun prison escape, attributing it to a relentless downpour that critically damaged the facility’s perimeter wall.
The heavy rain began around 2:00 a.m., relentlessly battering the prison’s defenses. Eventually, a section of the wall gave way, creating an escape route. NCoS spokesperson Abubakar Umar provided these initial details.
NCoS Mobilises to Recapture Escapees
“The NCoS is fully committed to ensuring these escapees are swiftly returned to lawful custody,” Umar declared in a statement. He emphasised that the Controller General, Sylvester Nwakuche, has already mandated a thorough investigation into how the Osun prison escape occurred.
Umar detailed the ongoing efforts, explaining that the NCoS is actively partnering with other security agencies. Local community leaders are also lending their support to help track down the missing inmates. “Beyond the manhunt, we are also working diligently to reinforce the facility’s security. We must prevent any repeat of such an incident,” Umar added.
The agency has issued a public appeal for assistance. Citizens with any credible information that could lead to the recapture of the inmates are urged to contact the NCoS response desk lines:
- 07087086005
- 09060004598
- 08075050006 Umar confirmed that the manhunt is a high-priority, multi-agency operation.
Osun Police Awaiting Formal Notification
Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command indicated it had not yet received an official report detailing the jailbreak from the NCoS. DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the command’s spokesperson, shared this with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). “We have heard information about the escape,” Ojelabi said, “but no official report has been made directly to the police by the NCoS.”
While Ojelabi confirmed that police intelligence corroborated the escape, he stated the police remain unclear on the precise cause and full details. “The NCoS needs to formally inform us about what transpired. The police are always prepared to protect lives and property, and we will apprehend any criminals identified,” Ojelabi affirmed.
A Troubling Pattern: Nigeria’s Recurring Jailbreaks
This latest Osun prison escape adds another concerning incident to Nigeria’s growing history of jailbreaks. It brings back memories of March, when 12 inmates broke out of a correctional centre in Koton Karfe, Kogi State. Similarly, last year saw 118 inmates flee the Suleja facility in Niger State after rains compromised that prison’s structure.
In those previous cases, authorities pointed to a combination of weather-induced damage and apparent staff negligence. These repeated breaches cast a harsh spotlight on the condition of Nigeria’s correctional infrastructure and signal an urgent call for comprehensive reforms. The events in Osun serve as a stark reminder of these persistent challenges.
By Abdullah Korede
