In the early hours of Tuesday, chaos broke loose at the Ilesa Medium Security Custodial Centre in Osun State after a heavy downpour compromised the prison’s infrastructure, allowing seven inmates to escape undetected. The incident, which has sent shockwaves across the state, is already being described by security analysts as a major breach of internal control and disaster preparedness.
Confirming the development, the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) said the escape was triggered by structural damage caused by the torrential rain, which weakened the perimeter barriers. In swift response, the Federal Government ordered an immediate manhunt for the fugitives, vowing to leave no stone unturned in recapturing them and uncovering any internal complicity.
A statement by the NCoS emphasized that the search involves a coordinated operation between the Service, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and local vigilante groups. Authorities have also launched a discreet investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the escape and whether it was merely weather-induced or aided from within.
“We are working around the clock to track down these escapees. The cooperation of community leaders, traditional institutions, and the public will be crucial in this operation. We urge anyone with useful information to come forward,” the statement read.
The incident raises fresh concerns about the resilience of Nigeria’s correctional facilities, many of which are plagued by overcrowding, dilapidation, and underfunding. Civil society groups are already calling for a comprehensive reform of the correctional system to prevent further breaches.
As the manhunt intensifies, security has been beefed up around Ilesa and neighboring towns, with checkpoints and increased surveillance in suspected escape routes. The identities of the fugitives are being compiled and will be circulated to the public to aid in their prompt capture.
This is not the first time Nigerian prisons have witnessed such security lapses, and experts warn that until holistic reforms are carried out, incidents like this may continue to undermine the credibility of the nation’s criminal justice system.