The Osun State Police Command has stated that it is yet to receive any formal report from the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) regarding the escape of seven inmates from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed that while the police are aware of the incident, there has been no official communication from the NCoS.
“We’ve heard about the escape, but no official report has been made to us by the Correctional Service,” Ojelabi said. “Our intelligence confirms there was indeed an escape, but the cause remains unclear. Our officers have visited the facility, yet we found no concrete details explaining how the inmates managed to flee. The NCoS needs to clarify what happened.”
Ojelabi emphasized the police’s commitment to public safety, stating, “Our duty is to protect lives and property. Any criminal we encounter will be apprehended.”
The NCoS earlier confirmed that seven inmates were declared missing after heavy rainfall at about 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday damaged the perimeter fencing of the facility, creating an opportunity for the inmates to escape.
In a statement released by the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, and signed by the Public Relations Officer, Umar Abubakar, the service announced that an investigation had been launched and that efforts were ongoing to rearrest the fugitives.
“The Service is working closely with other security agencies and local community leaders to recapture the escapees and return them to custody,” the statement read. “We also appeal to the public for support and any useful information that could aid in their recapture.”
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