The escape occurred in the early hours of Tuesday following a heavy overnight rainfall, which caused the collapse of a section of the facility’s perimeter wall.
Seven inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, after a section of the facility’s old perimeter wall collapsed during heavy rainfall around 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has however launched a manhunt to recapture the fugitives. Controller General Sylvester Nwakuche has ordered a full investigation and is working with security agencies and community leaders.
This incident adds to a worrying trend, similar prison breaks happened in Maiduguri and Suleja following extreme weather, raising concerns over the fragile state of Nigeria’s correctional infrastructure.
The Nigerian Correctional Service has released the identities of inmates who escaped from Osun prison. Photos below.