From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Heavy security was deployed at the Ayeso Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, on Wednesday, May 21, following the escape of seven inmates on Tuesday. The jailbreak occurred around 2:00 a.m. when heavy rainfall damaged the facility’s perimeter wall, allowing the inmates to flee.
When our correspondent visited the facility, journalists were barred from entering, with armed security operatives, including personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Department of State Services (DSS), stationed at strategic points around the centre. Masked security personnel were also visible, underscoring the heightened alert.
Joel Oyedokun, spokesperson for the Osun Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), confirmed via phone that the facility is collaborating with the army, police, NSCDC, and DSS to recapture the escapees.
“The state commandant has moved to Ilesa to oversee the manhunt, and we are confident the inmates will be rearrested,” he said.
The NCoS has offered a N5 million reward for information leading to the inmates’ recapture, urging the public to report tips to [email protected] or 07087086005.