An awaiting-trial inmate, Osita Thomas, 28, has escaped from custody during a court appearance in Edo State, with a correctional service official blaming the incident on manpower shortage.
Thomas, who was standing trial for conspiracy and stealing, escaped last week while appearing in court after being brought from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Auchi.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Edo State Command, announced the escape in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Aminu Suleman, on October 21.
The command appealed to members of the public to provide useful information that could lead to the inmate’s recapture.
It provided the following contact numbers: 08038075882 and 08039243704, urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the nearest custodial centre or police station.
The Controller of Corrections in Edo State assured the public that efforts would be made to recapture the fugitive and disclosed that security had been strengthened across custodial facilities.
However, a correctional service official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the warden escorting Thomas and other inmates could not pursue him without risking the escape of the remaining prisoners.
“The warden couldn’t leave other inmates to pursue Osita, as he would risk losing others,” the official said.
The official attributed the incident to a shortage of personnel, claiming that more than 1,000 correctional officers were expected to retire this year without plans to recruit replacements.
The official called for urgent recruitment to address the manpower gap and prevent similar incidents.
The circumstances surrounding the inmate’s escape, including the specific manner in which he fled the court premises, were not disclosed in the command’s statement.
So bad.