Security agencies are on high alert in Osun State after seven inmates escaped from a correctional facility in Ilesa following the collapse of a section of the prison fence during a heavy downpour. The dramatic escape occurred late Sunday night, May 19, 2025, and has raised serious concerns about the structural integrity of Nigerian prisons amid worsening weather conditions.
According to correctional officers, the torrential rain battered the facility for hours, eventually weakening the perimeter wall and causing a portion of it to cave in. Seizing the opportunity, several inmates bolted through the breach before security personnel could respond. Authorities say seven prisoners are confirmed to have escaped, though the number could rise as headcounts continue.
Local residents reported hearing sirens and seeing security operatives combing nearby neighborhoods throughout the night. “It was chaotic. We saw torchlights and heard shouting from the facility. Then later, armed officers started moving around,” said a witness living near the prison premises.
Spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Osun State Command, Rotimi Adebayo, confirmed the incident and assured the public that efforts are underway to recapture the escapees. He also stated that an emergency repair of the collapsed fence has been initiated, and an internal investigation has begun to assess potential negligence.
This incident is the latest in a string of jailbreaks linked to poor infrastructure and underfunded facilities. According to a 2024 audit by the Nigerian Prison Reform Trust, over 48 correctional centers nationwide are at risk of collapse due to erosion, outdated construction, and lack of maintenance. The Ilesa prison, built in the 1940s, has long been flagged for urgent upgrades.
Human rights groups are criticizing the system’s failure to secure inmates and protect nearby communities. “This escape was not a surprise—it was a disaster waiting to happen,” said Amaka Onwudiwe of the Centre for Justice and Security Reform. “We’ve been calling for proactive investment in prison infrastructure, but nothing changes until lives are at risk.”
As search operations continue across Osun, the public has been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements. Authorities have released photos and identities of the escapees to aid tracking. Meanwhile, questions linger over how many more facilities may fail the next time the rain comes.
