An awaiting-trial inmate, Osita Thomas, 28, has escaped from custody while appearing in court in Edo State over alleged conspiracy and stealing.
The Nigeria Correctional Service, Edo State Command, disclosed the incident in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Aminu Suleman, on October 21 and made available to journalists in Benin on Thursday.
According to the statement, Thomas escaped while attending his trial after being taken from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Auchi.
“The Nigerian Correctional Service, Edo State Command, hereby notifies the general public of the escape of an awaiting-trial inmate of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Auchi,” the statement said.
The command appealed to members of the public to provide credible information that could lead to the inmate’s arrest.
It urged anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the nearest custodial centre or police station, or call 08038075882 or 08039243704.
The Controller of Corrections in Edo State assured the public that efforts were ongoing to recapture the escapee, adding that security measures had been strengthened to prevent further incidents.
Meanwhile, an official of the correctional service attributed the escape to inadequate manpower, explaining that the officer escorting the inmate could not abandon other detainees to pursue him.
“The warden couldn’t leave other inmates to pursue Osita, as he would risk losing others,” the official said.
The source also raised concerns about an impending staff shortage, claiming that more than 1,000 correctional service personnel were expected to retire this year without a corresponding recruitment plan.
“The dearth of manpower should be addressed now so that this kind of incident does not happen again,” the official added.
