25 inmates out of the 1,900 prisoners who escaped from Oko and Sapele Road Correctional Centres in Benin City, Edo State last Monday, October 19, have voluntarily surrendered themselves to the authorities.
An official of the Sapele Road Correctional Centre gave the figure on Sunday, disclosing that one of the escapees had been recaptured after he was shot in the leg last Wednesday.
The official also revealed that two out of the CDC 25 inmates, who returned were inmates at the Oko Medium Correctional Centre along Airport Road, Benin.
Read Also: #EndSARS Protests: Another Jailbreak In Benin As Hoodlums Free Inmates At Oko Prison (Videos)
The Department of State Security, the police and officials of the Nigerian Correctional Services will soon commence a manhunt for the runaway inmates immediately after a seven-day grace the state government gave them has elapsed.
Read Also: Governor Obaseki Extends Ultimatum, Gives Fleeing Prisoners One Week To Return
He said those who escaped from lawful prison custody risked being sentenced for extra seven years if caught while those who willingly surrendered themselves would be shown mercy as the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki promised.
The official added;
We have a way of arresting runway prisoners. We will swing into action once the protest calms down nationwide. The earlier they return on their own, the better for them.
Those who are rearrested will be retried and sentenced to extra seven years if convicted. So, it is in their own interest to return as the governor has given them extra one week of grace to do so.
One of the inmates, Alex Ose explained his decision to return to the centre, noting that he had been awaiting trial since 2014 when he was arrested for armed robbery in Benin.
Ose, a father of four and a taxi driver, said he decided to heed Obaseki’s call because he was innocent of the charges brought against him.
The 40-year-old man said he is sure that the court would eventually vindicate him.
He, however, confessed that the escape provided him an opportunity to see his wife and children after a long time.
Ose added that he ran into the ensuing bedlam when the hoodlums stormed the centre and ordered them to escape.
He said;
I am innocent of the allegations against me. I was framed up. I am appealing to Governor Obaseki to look into my case.
I have every opportunity to run, but chose to surrender myself because I am not guilty. The governor should please look seriously into my case.
