An awaiting-trial inmate, identified as 28-year-old Osita Thomas, has escaped from custody while appearing in court in Edo State, prompting the Nigerian Correctional Service to launch efforts to recapture him.
The Edo State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service disclosed the incident in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Aminu Suleman, dated October 21 and made available to journalists in Benin on Thursday.
According to the statement, Thomas escaped last week while appearing in court for trial over alleged conspiracy and stealing.
He was being held at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Auchi before the incident occurred.
The correctional service appealed to members of the public to provide useful information that could assist in locating and returning the fugitive to custody.
It urged anyone with relevant information to contact the nearest custodial centre or police station, or call 08038075882 and 08039243704.
The Controller of Corrections in Edo State assured residents that efforts were being made to recapture the escapee and disclosed that security measures at custodial facilities had been strengthened.
However, an official of the service attributed the incident partly to manpower shortages, explaining that the warden escorting Thomas could not abandon other inmates to pursue him without risking further escapes.
The official also raised concerns about the expected retirement of more than 1,000 correctional personnel in 2026, warning that the shortage of officers needed urgent attention.
The incident has renewed concerns about the security challenges correctional officers face while transporting inmates to and from court proceedings.
