The Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has assured escapees in the recent Owert jail break of pardon if they voluntarily return.
He gave the assurance while inspecting the correctional centre on Tuesday, following Monday’s breakout and attack on the facility by unknown gunmen.
He pointed out that unlawful escape from custody is a crime but the government in her benevolence will pardon those who willfully return but not for the actual crimes they were initially convicted of.
“They will no longer be charged with an unlawful escape but only for the initial crimes that took them to prison. So we urge all escapees to return before they are caught on the run,” he said.
He advised them to return and stressed that the Federal Government will leave no stone unturned to hunt them down and the perpetrators brought to book.
While speaking at the inspection, the Deputy Controller in charge of the Owerri custodial centre, DCC Seye Oduntan, implored members of the public to keep faith in security agencies and provide them with useful information that would enable the arrest of those involved.
