In the aftermath of a jailbreak at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has announced a ₦5 million cash reward for anyone who provides actionable intelligence leading to the recapture of the escaped inmates.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, following a heavy rainstorm that caused a section of the facility’s perimeter wall already weakened by age and poor structural integrity to collapse. The breach gave seven inmates an opportunity to escape into the surrounding community.
In a press release issued on WednesdayDeputy Controller of Corrections and spokesperson for the NCoS, Umar Abubakar, confirmed the development and appealed to the public for support. He noted that efforts to re-arrest the fleeing inmates have been intensified, involving joint operations with other security agencies in the region.
“To support this effort, the NCoS is offering a monetary reward of five million naira to any individual who provides credible and useful information that leads to the capture of the fugitives,” Abubakar stated.
The NCoS has emphasized the need for public cooperation in tracking down the escapees, urging citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals or movements in their communities. All reports, the agency assured, will be handled with the highest level of confidentiality, and the identities of informants will be protected.
To make reporting accessible, several communication lines have been made available:
Emails: complaintresponsedesk@corrections.gov.ng and info@corrections.gov.ng
Hotlines: 07087086005, 09060004598, and 08075050006
This appeal for public assistance is part of a broader effort to boost community policing and strengthen ties between law enforcement and the people they serve.
The prison break has reignited concerns about the structural condition of correctional facilities across the country, particularly in light of extreme weather patterns. Security experts warn that many such centres are in urgent need of renovation and reinforcements to prevent similar incidents.
According to reports, the escape occurred around 2:00 a.m., when heavy rainfall led to the collapse of an aging perimeter wall at the Ilesa facility. The timing and conditions of the escape have prompted calls for a comprehensive review of safety protocols and infrastructure integrity at custodial centres nationwide.
This incident is one of several prison breaks that have occurred in Nigeria over the past few years, with many attributed to either external attacks or internal vulnerabilities such as poor infrastructure, overcrowding, and inadequate security systems.
While efforts are ongoing to upgrade facilities and improve monitoring, experts say collaboration with the public is crucial to preventing future incidents and recovering escaped inmates.
The NCoS has assured the public that investigations into the incident are ongoing and that measures are being put in place to prevent a repeat.
