The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has revealed the identities of seven inmates who recently escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun State, and announced a cash reward of N5 million for any credible information leading to their recapture.
The inmates escaped following a midnight breach caused by heavy rainfall around 2:00am on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, which severely damaged the prison’s perimeter fence—an event the authorities described as a “force majeure.”
In a statement released on Wednesday and signed by the NCoS Public Relations Officer, DCC Umar Abubakar, the agency called on Nigerians to assist in tracking down the fugitives, promising total confidentiality.
“To encourage public participation, the Nigerian Correctional Service is offering a cash reward of N5 million to any individual who provides actionable intelligence that leads to the re-arrest of any of the inmates who escaped from the Medium Custodial Centre, Ilesa,” the statement read.
Abubakar further urged members of the public to be vigilant and promptly report any sightings or information to the nearest security agency.
“All tips will be handled with the highest level of confidentiality. Your identity will not be disclosed,” he assured.
Authorities have since launched a coordinated manhunt in collaboration with other security agencies to locate and return the escapees to custody.
Although the full list of the escaped inmates’ identities has been compiled, details were not immediately disclosed in the statement. The NCoS promised that further updates would be released as investigations progress.
