Seven inmates have escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, following the collapse of the facility’s old perimeter wall after a heavy rainfall on Tuesday night. The incident, which occurred around 2:00 a.m., was attributed to the structural failure of the wall, which could not withstand the storm.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) confirmed the breach and issued a statement revealing that a manhunt had been launched to track down and recapture the escapees. Umar Abubakar, the spokesperson for NCoS, explained that the escape happened in the early hours of May 20, 2025, when the storm triggered the collapse of the security wall. Authorities have been working around the clock, in collaboration with other security agencies and local leaders, to locate the fugitives.
Following the escape, the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, immediately ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The NCoS has reassured the public that efforts are being made to ensure that the escapees are swiftly returned to custody.
The NCoS also appealed to members of the public to assist in any way possible, providing tips or information that could aid in the recapture of the escapees. Citizens have been advised to reach out to the nearest security agency or use the provided hotlines: 07087086005, 09060004598, or 08075050006.
The escape from Ilesa prison highlights an ongoing security issue in Nigeria, where incidents of prisoners fleeing have been on the rise, largely due to the deteriorating state of the country’s correctional facilities. The poor condition of the country’s prisons, coupled with increasing vulnerability to natural disasters, continues to pose a serious risk to the security of correctional institutions.
This is not the first such incident in recent times. In September 2024, floodwaters caused the collapse of the perimeter wall at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Maiduguri, Borno State, resulting in the escape of 281 inmates. Similarly, in April 2024, heavy rains led to the collapse of the walls at the Suleja Medium Security Prison in Niger State, allowing 119 inmates to escape.
The NCoS has reiterated its commitment to improving security at correctional facilities across the country, but the continued frequency of such breaches underscores the urgent need for significant reform and investment in the nation’s prison system.
