Awaiting-Trial Inmate Escapes During Court Appearance In Edo

Authorities of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Edo State Command, have confirmed the escape of an awaiting-trial inmate, 28-year-old Osita Thomas, during a recent court session in the state.

The development was officially announced in a statement issued by the Command Public Relations Officer, Aminu Suleman, dated October 21, 2026, and made available to newsmen in Benin City on Thursday.

According to the correctional authority, the suspect was standing trial at a magistrate court on charges bordering on conspiracy and stealing before he managed to break custody and flee.

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 official statement read.

The custodial authority appealed to members of the public to assist law enforcement agencies with credible intelligence that could lead to the immediate rearrest of the fugitive.

The Service solicits the cooperation of the general public to recapture the fugitive. Anyone with useful information about his whereabouts should please contact the nearest Custodial Centre or Police Station, or call the following numbers: 08038075882, 08039243704, Suleman added.

The State Controller of Corrections reassured residents that active search operations have been launched in collaboration with sister security agencies, emphasizing that security around all custodial facilities and inmate transfers has been tightened.

Meanwhile, an insider official at the Edo State Command attributed the breach to severe manpower shortages within the service, explaining that the warders on duty could not abandon the remaining inmates to chase the fleeing suspect.

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 source disclosed, noting that over 1,000 personnel are set to retire across the agency this year without immediate recruitment plans in place.