By Samuel Adeola
Panic gripped Ilesa in Osun State on Tuesday after seven inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre following a heavy downpour that brought down part of the prison’s perimeter wall.
The Nigerian Correctional Service confirmed the early morning jailbreak, describing it as a result of “force majeure.”
Spokesman Umar Abubakar said the breach occurred around 2:00 a.m., prompting an immediate manhunt for the escapees.
He added that the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, has launched an investigation into the incident.
Security agencies and local community leaders are now working together to track and return the fleeing inmates to custody.
The service has urged the public to volunteer useful information and provided emergency hotlines: 07087086005, 09060004598, and 08075050006.
The incident has reignited concerns about Nigeria’s aging correctional infrastructure, which has suffered repeated failures in recent years.
