Authorities of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Edo State Command, have announced the escape of an awaiting-trial inmate, Osita Thomas, aged 28.
The disclosure was contained in a statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Aminu Suleman, dated October 21 and made available to journalists in Benin on Thursday.
According to the statement, Thomas escaped while appearing in court last week on charges of conspiracy and stealing. He was being held at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Auchi.
The statement read in part: “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. The incident occurred during his appearance in court for trial for the offence of conspiracy and stealing.”
The Service appealed to members of the public for assistance in recapturing the fugitive. Anyone with useful information about his whereabouts was urged to contact the nearest Custodial Centre or Police Station, or call 08038075882 or 08039243704.
The Controller of Corrections, Edo State Command, assured the public that every effort is being made to recapture the escaped inmate, while security around all inmates currently in custody has been strengthened.
Meanwhile, an official of the Nigeria Correctional Service who spoke on condition of anonymity attributed the escape partly to inadequate manpower. The official explained that the warden who escorted Thomas and other inmates to court could not pursue him for fear of losing the remaining inmates under his watch.
“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 said.
The source further revealed that over 1,000 personnel of the Nigeria Correctional Service are expected to retire this year without any clear plans yet announced for the recruitment of new staff.