Oyo Prison Break: Over 580 Prisoners Still Missing, Fear Grips South-west

By Akinwale Kasali

Over 260 prison break escapees at the Correctional Center in Abolongo, Oyo State have either been rearrested or made a voluntary return.

The Federal Government said security operatives recaptured some of the inmates who escaped from the Prison following an invasion that occurred at the on Friday.

But over 500 are still missing, thus spreading palpable fear in the South-west as some of them  are hardened criminals.

The Public Relation Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, NCS, Olarewaju Anjorin, in a press release stressed that no effort will be spared to recapture the fleeing inmates, and solicited for credible intelligence to aid security agencies in tracking down the fugitives.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, in his reaction  assured members of the public to go about their normal businesses as the situation is under control.

He also urged members of the public to report any suspicious movement or any sign of the escaped inmates and the gunmen around their vicinity to the nearest security post.

The Correctional Centre at Abolongo, Oyo town, was established in  2007 with a capacity of 160 inmates but as at the time of the attack, it had a total population of about 907.

Of this number awaiting trial persons were 837 representing 92% with just 64 convicts.

In a statement by  Sola Fasure, the Media Adviser to the Minister of Interior, on Saturday, he said “while the number of those who fled the facility is yet to be ascertained, Fasure revealed that some other escapees returned voluntarily.

However, some are still on the run.

“Security agencies are on the trail of the escaped inmates, while a joint security services manhunt has been launched immediately for the apprehension of the assailants,” he said in the statement.

“This has led to the capture of some of the inmates while others returned voluntarily. However, those who are on the run are advised to turn themselves in, as an escape from lawful custody is a serious offence. The full weight of the law will be brought on them when arrested.”

It would be recalled that some daredevil gunmen had on Friday attacked the Correctional facility, during which several suspected criminals awaiting trial were freed by the gunmen.

Narrating how the attack occurred, Fasure said, “At about 10.00 pm yesterday, October 22, 2021, a large number of heavily-armed gunmen attacked the Abolongo Custodial Centre, in Oyo, Oyo State.

“Armed squad unit members of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) and other security agencies on guard at the facility engaged the attackers in a gun duel that lasted for 20 minutes before they were overpowered.”

“The attackers subsequently used grenades and other explosives to gain access into the awaiting trial section of the facility and set free many of the awaiting trial inmates. Other sections of the facilities were left untouched,” he added.