Heavy rainfall violates the walls of Ile Penitentiary facilities, seven prisoners escaped

Heavy rain in the early days of Tuesday caused the escape of seven prisoners from the middle security guard center in Ilesa, the State of Osun, after the part of the perimeter wall of the aging facility collapsed under pressure from rainfall.

The Nigerian Penitentiary (NCOS) service confirmed the incident, which stated that violations occurred around 2:00 in the morning, following what was described as “Force Majeure.” In a statement released by NCOS spokesman Umar Abubakar, the authorities have since launched the hunting with other security agents and local community leaders to find and return the escape to detention.

The controller of the correction general, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, had ordered an immediate investigation about the situation around the incident. He assured the public that every effort was made to capture the fugitives and strengthen the structural integrity of the Correctional Center.

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“This service is in collaboration with the security agents of sisters and community leaders to reclaim the escapes and bring them back to detention,” the statement said.

Residents with useful information are urged to help the authorities by contacting the nearest security agent or calling the following emergency paths: 07087086005, 09060004598, or 08075050006.

Tuesday’s escape has again attracted national attention to the country that worsened the Nigerian correctional facilities, many of which were not well maintained and vulnerable to natural disasters and security violations.

Over the past year, a similar incident has occurred. In April 2024, heavy rains caused the collapse of the perimeter wall from the Center for the Detention of Secondary Security Suleja in the state of Niger, which resulted in the escape of 119 inmates.

Only a few months later, in September 2024, 281 inmates escaped the medium security detention center in Maiduguri, Borno State, after the flood that disrupted the defense of the facilities.

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