The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), Edo State Command, has launched efforts to recapture a 28-year-old awaiting-trial inmate, Osita Thomas, who escaped while appearing in court last week.
Thomas, who was being tried for conspiracy and stealing, escaped while being taken to court from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Auchi.
The incident was confirmed in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Aminu Suleman, and made available to journalists in Benin on Thursday.
The command appealed to members of the public to assist security agencies with information that could lead to the fugitive’s arrest.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Correctional Service, Edo State Command, hereby notifies the general public of the escape of an awaiting trial inmate of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Auchi.
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“The incident occurred during his appearance in court for trial for the offence of conspiracy and stealing.
“The Service solicits the cooperation of the general public to recapture the fugitive. Anyone with useful information about his whereabouts should please contact the nearest Custodial Centre or Police Station, or call the following numbers: 08038075882, 08039243704.
“The Controller of Corrections, Edo State Command, assures the general public that no effort will be spared to recapture the fugitive, while security of all inmates in custody has been strengthened.”
The development has also drawn attention to staffing challenges within the correctional service, with an official of the NCS attributing the escape partly to a shortage of personnel available to supervise inmates during court appearances.
The official explained that the officer escorting Thomas and other inmates could not abandon the remaining detainees to pursue the escapee, as doing so could have created an opportunity for additional inmates to flee.
“The warden couldn’t leave other inmates to pursue Osita as he will risk losing others. The dearth of manpower should be addressed now so that this kind of incident does not happen again,” the official added.
The official further claimed that more than 1,000 correctional personnel were expected to retire this year, expressing concern that no plans had been made to recruit replacements.
The alleged staffing gap, the official said, needed urgent attention to prevent similar incidents and ensure the safe supervision of inmates during transfers and court proceedings.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Command said it had strengthened security measures within its custodial facilities and would continue efforts to locate and apprehend the escaped inmate.
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