Manhunt Underway for Seven Inmates Who Escaped Osun Prison

• May 21, 2025

A manhunt is currently underway after seven inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, early Tuesday morning. The escape occurred around 2am, following heavy rainfall that damaged part of the prison’s perimeter wall, allowing the prisoners to flee.

Abubakar Umar, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), confirmed the incident and said the authorities are now working closely with other security agencies and community leaders to track down and recapture the escapees.

Umar noted that the Controller General of the NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, has ordered an immediate investigation into the escape. He also gave assurances that efforts are being made to strengthen the prison’s security to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“The NCoS is committed to ensuring the escapees are returned to lawful custody,” Umar stated. “We are also working to reinforce the facility’s security to prevent further occurrences.”

The public has been asked to support the recapture efforts by providing credible information. Anyone with useful tips can contact the NCoS through its response lines: 07087086005, 09060004598, and 08075050006.

This is not the first prison break linked to damaged infrastructure and poor weather. In March, 12 inmates escaped from a correctional centre in the Koton Karfe area of Kogi State during a similar early morning jailbreak. At that time, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo blamed the incident on officer negligence.

Last year, another serious breach occurred at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, where 118 inmates managed to flee. According to Adamu Duza, spokesperson for the NCoS command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the prisoners escaped after heavy rainfall weakened parts of the structure, causing sections of the wall to collapse. Duza said the aging infrastructure of the prison played a key role in that incident.

The recent jailbreak in Osun highlights growing concerns about the state of correctional facilities in Nigeria and the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades to ensure the safety and security of inmates and the public.