The Osun State Police Command has requested a formal notice of what happened from the Nigerian Correctional Service regarding the escape of seven inmates from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa.
Police Spokesperson DSP Abiodun Ojelabi told the News Agency of Nigeria that while intelligence reports confirmed the incident, the command lacked official details.
“We heard also about the escape, but there is no official report made to the police by the NCoS. Our intel revealed to us that actually, there was an escape,” Ojelabi said.
He noted police investigators were unable to determine the cause: “The cause of the escape is what we don’t know because our men have gone there. From the intelligence report we got, there is nothing we can lay hands on that made the inmates escape. The NCoS should inform us about what actually happened.”
Ojelabi reaffirmed the police’s commitment to public safety: “The police are out to protect lives and property, and any criminal we see, we will apprehend.”
NAN reported that torrential rainfall around 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday damaged the facility’s perimeter, enabling the inmates to flee.
The NCoS confirmed the incident in a statement signed by Deputy Controller of Corrections (Public Relations) Umar Abubakar. Controller-General Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche ordered an immediate investigation and assured the public of efforts to recapture the escapees.
“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 statement read.
It appealed for public assistance: “However, the Service solicits the cooperation and support of the public in providing information that may lead to the recapture of the fleeing inmates.”
Security agencies have launched a manhunt for the fugitives amid concerns over inter-agency communication gaps.
