An overnight downpour on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, led to the escape of seven inmates from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, following the collapse of an old perimeter wall.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) attributed the breach to the structural failure of the facility’s wall, which gave way around 2:00 a.m. during the storm.
In a statement issued by the NCoS spokesperson, Umar Abubakar, the service confirmed that a manhunt had been launched to locate and return the escaped inmates to custody.
“The Nigerian Correctional Service has launched an expansive manhunt following the rainfall that breached the security of its facility at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ilesa, Osun State.
“The force majeure which occurred at about 0200hours on Tuesday, 20th of May 2025 led to the escape of seven (7) inmates.”
Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, has ordered an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. He assured the public that all efforts are being intensified, with the support of security agencies and community leaders, to recapture the escapees.
“Following the incident, the Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, has ordered an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape.
“The service is working closely with sister security agencies as well as community leaders to recapture the escapees and bring them back to custody,” the statement read.
The NCoS also appealed to members of the public for assistance and encouraged anyone with useful information to contact the nearest security agency or reach out via the following hotlines: 07087086005, 09060004598, or 08075050006.
This escape adds to a growing list of similar incidents across the country, largely attributed to the poor state of Nigeria’s correctional infrastructure.
In recent years, several prison breaks have occurred due to natural disasters and aging facilities. Notably, on September 9, 2024, flooding caused a breach at the Maiduguri Medium Security Custodial Centre in Borno State, allowing 281 inmates to escape. Similarly, on April 24, 2024, heavy rainfall triggered a collapse at Suleja Medium Security Prison in Niger State, resulting in the escape of 119 inmates.
These recurring incidents continue to raise concerns over the vulnerability of correctional centres in Nigeria.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
