An overnight downpour on Tuesday led to the escape of seven inmates from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, following the collapse of the facility’s old perimeter wall.
According to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), the breach occurred around 2:00 am due to structural failure caused by the storm. The service has since launched a manhunt to locate and return the escapees to custody.
The Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, has ordered an immediate investigation and assured the public of intensified efforts in collaboration with security agencies and community leaders.
In a statement, NCoS spokesperson Umar Abubakar said, “The service is working closely with sister security agencies as well as community leaders to recapture the escapees and bring them back to custody.”
The NCoS urged the public to report any relevant information via these hotlines: 07087086005, 09060004598, or 08075050006.
What you should know
This incident underscores the ongoing vulnerability of Nigeria’s correctional facilities to natural disasters and infrastructure decay. Similar escapes occurred in Suleja and Maiduguri in 2024, with over 400 inmates fleeing due to wall collapses triggered by rainfall and flooding.
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