A 39-year-old prison escapee, Kabiru Oyedun, has been rearrested by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command following his escape from the Ilesa Correctional Centre in Osun State.
Oyedun was one of several inmates who fled the facility after its perimeter wall was breached during heavy rainfall. He was apprehended on Tuesday, May 21, 2025, at about 5:30 p.m. in the Ayobo area of Lagos.
Confirming the arrest, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the operation was executed by officers attached to the Ayobo Division. He noted that the arrest was the result of the command’s proactive security measures to prevent criminals from seeking refuge in the state.
“Kabiru Oyedun was trailed and arrested in Ayobo on May 21, 2025, at about 5:30 p.m. by operatives of the Command. This success is largely attributed to the preventive strategies we have implemented to stop criminal elements from infiltrating Lagos,” Hundeyin stated.
Following his arrest, Oyedun is expected to be transferred back to the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service for onward return to Osun State.
The escape occurred after a rainstorm reportedly damaged the perimeter fence of the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, allowing multiple inmates to flee. In response, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) launched a manhunt for the escapees and offered a reward of N5 million for credible information leading to their recapture.
“To encourage public participation, the Nigerian Correctional Service is offering a reward of N5 million to anyone who provides useful information that leads to the recapture of the fleeing inmates,” the NCoS said in a statement.
Security agencies continue efforts to apprehend the remaining escapees as part of a broader strategy to uphold public safety and restore order.