In line with existing provisions of the law, Imo command of the Nigeria Security and Civil
Defence Corps (NSCDC) has handed over a prison escapee, re-arrested by the corps,
to the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS).
The state’s Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Matthew Ovye, performed the handover
shortly after parading the 28 year old suspect and one other, in Owerri, on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that 1,844 inmates of the Owerri correctional
facility escaped on April 5, 2021 following an attack on the facility by gunmen.
Ovye said that the suspect, Chinonso Kalu, who hails from Ebonyi, was arrested by his
men on duty at the hero square, Owerri, on June 6, 2024 after seeing him jump a fence
shortly after robbing unsuspecting passersby of their valuables.
“ In the course of our investigation, it was discovered that the suspect was one of the
prisoners who took advantage of the April 5, 2021 prison break in Imo to escape from
the facility.
“ We’re therefore handing him over to the NCoS for reabsorption in the facility and
other necessary actions “, he said.
Mr Casmir Obiozor, an Inspector of Corrections, who received the escapee on behalf of
the NCoS, said he would be officially documented before other appropriate actions.
The Commandant further said that the second suspect, 31 year old Israel Akinregbide,
from Ondo, was arrested in the same complex on May 12, 2024 shortly after some
young men jumped into the compound which houses the office of the Secretary to the
State Government.
He said Akinregbide would be prosecuted accordingly.
He thanked other security agencies in the state for their continued synergy and pledged
the NSCDC’s commitment to the protection of critical government infrastructure in line
with their mandate.
He also thanked Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo for his continued support while advising
residents of the state not to stay out late at night, especially in lonesome environments,
to avoid falling victim to criminals.
It is imperative to note that this action by the NSCDC underscores the importance of
adherence to extant laws regarding the custody of persons found guilty of crimes by
Courts of competent jurisdiction.
Their escape from custodial centers should not be taken lightly as the consequences of
their stay away from the centers can be devastating to the larger society