Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki on Friday extended the ultimatum issued to inmates on the run.
Last Monday, amid the violence that erupted after End SARS protest went awry, two correctional facilities in Edo were attacked.
The next day, the federal government confirmed that rampaging youths breached the Custodial Centres in Benin and Oko.
The Ministry of Interior, in a statement, said at the last count, 1,993 inmates in legal custody had escaped.
The figure has reportedly exceeded 2,000.
The government added that the assailants looted weapons after pouncing on officers on guard duty.
After an initial warning return, Obaseki postponed the deadline to Friday, October 30.
“The new window is to allow more prisoners to return to the centres willingly,” his spokesman, Crusoe Osagie noted.
In reaction, Nigerians are wondering how the Governor expects the escapees to turn in themselves after regaining freedom.
They noted that it would be a miracle if a good number of the (ex)inmates go back on their own volition.
Many say for a country deficient in record-keeping and data management, tracking 2,000 people successfully may be a pipe dream.
On Twitter, several reactions to DAILY POST publication mocked Obaseki’s warning. Some below:
@ElemaTheArtist: So he has extended their mid-term break.
@Prinxhd: My governor is the best cruise. I love him already. We all need this laugh after what Buhari has put us through.
@Clemenzet: @GovernorObaseki is doing me like he enjoys more of Social Publicity. Does he expect Escaped Prisoners to have smart phones or comfortably sit in a parlor at peace to watch news? Please track down those criminals smartly Sir. Don’t drag the general public into that affair.
@Chiamakafaith19: I know some of those prisoners are seeing this tweet right now and they are even commenting. Respect yourself and go back to prison before Obaseki go vex.
@favourotobasi: A late resumption fee is hereby attached for all inmates who refuse to resume on the given date.
@_Valklng: He said “today na Friday, take the weekend off, resume on Monday morning with shirt and tie”.
@Phototizo247: I would really like to know what he intends to do when the ultimatum expires? Some of the inmates would have gotten to Cameroon by now.
@Biobaku05: He’s probably giving them time to bond with their families before saying final goodbyes. Better still, he should just give them till after Christmas, so they can do Detty December.
@Mbahdeyforyou: God which kind country you bring me come like this.
@Shawnifee: The show “Nigeria” should be on Netflix, this country is one big drama series.
Ojelabi, the publisher of Freelanews, is an award winning and professionally trained mass communicator, who writes ruthlessly about pop culture, religion, politics and entertainment.
