ILESA, Nigeria — The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has launched a manhunt for seven inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, early on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, following a structural breach caused by heavy rainfall.
According to a statement by NCoS spokesperson Abubakar Umar, the inmates escaped at approximately 2:00 a.m. after torrential rains compromised the integrity of the facility’s perimeter wall.
The rainfall led to a partial collapse, creating a gap through which the inmates fled.
“The NCoS is committed to ensuring the escapees are returned to lawful custody,” Umar said.
“We are also working to reinforce the facility’s security to prevent further occurrences.”
Umar added that the Controller General of the Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, has ordered an immediate investigation into the circumstances of the escape.
The NCoS is currently working in collaboration with other security agencies and local community leaders to track down the fugitives.
The service urged the public to assist with any credible information that could aid in recapturing the escapees and provided emergency hotlines — 07087086005, 09060004598, and 08075050006 — for tips.
This is the third reported jailbreak in less than 15 months, underscoring mounting concerns over the state of correctional infrastructure in Nigeria.
In March, 12 inmates escaped from the federal correctional centre in Koton Karfe, Kogi State, under similar circumstances.
In 2024, 118 inmates broke out of the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, after heavy rainfall weakened sections of the facility’s outer walls.
That incident was also attributed to aging infrastructure and inadequate maintenance.
Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, responding to the Koton Karfe incident in March, blamed lapses in officer vigilance and called for a thorough audit of correctional facilities nationwide.
As of press time, the identities of the escaped inmates from Ilesa have not been released. Authorities say a full list will be circulated once internal records are reconciled.
