The leadership of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has revealed that a midnight downpour has triggered a jailbreak at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, leading to the escape of seven inmates and prompting an intensive manhunt the Service.
According to a statement released Tuesday evening by the Service’s national spokesman, Umar Abubakar, the heavy rainfall which occurred around 2:00am on May 20, 2025, caused a breach in the facility’s perimeter security, a “force majeure” that gave the inmates an opportunity to flee.
The statement explained that in swift response, the Controller-general of the Service, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, ordered an immediate investigation into the jailbreak.
This is as the NCoS revealed that it was already collaborating with other security agencies and community leaders to recapture the escapees.
The statement read in part, “The Service solicits the cooperation of the public in providing information that may lead to the recapture of the fleeing inmates.”
It further urged anyone with useful information to contact nearby security agencies or call the NCoS Response Desk via 07087086005, 09060004598, or 08075050006.
LEADERSHIP reports that the incident highlights a growing concern, as breaches in the perimeter security of correctional facilities across Nigeria have become increasingly frequent.
