The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has launched a manhunt for seven inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, in the early hours of Tuesday. The escape occurred around 2 am, coinciding with heavy rainfall that compromised the integrity of the facility’s perimeter wall, according to NCoS spokesperson Abubakar Umar.

In response to the incident, Sylvester Nwakuche, the Service’s Controller-General, has ordered an immediate investigation. Umar emphasized that the NCoS is collaborating with various security agencies and community leaders to locate and recapture the escapees. “The NCoS is committed to ensuring the escapees are returned to lawful custody,” he stated, urging the public to assist by providing credible information that could facilitate their recapture.

To enhance community involvement, Umar shared the NCoS response desk lines: 07087086005, 09060004598, and 08075050006, encouraging anyone with information to reach out.

This recent escape adds to a troubling trend of jailbreaks across Nigeria. In March, a similar incident occurred when 12 inmates fled from the federal correctional center in Koton Karfe, Kogi State, which the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, attributed to officer negligence. Last year, 118 inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, where outdated infrastructure was cited as a contributing factor to their escape.

The NCoS has also pledged to reinforce security measures at the Ilesa facility to prevent future occurrences, amid growing concerns about the fragility of correctional facilities across the country.