By: Alimatu Kargbo
On Tuesday 8th April 2025, Tension erupted at the Pademba Road Court in Freetown after two Nigerian nationals made a daring attempt to escape from the court lockup. The incident occurred during the morning hours, just before their scheduled appearance in court.
According to eyewitnesses, the two inmates, who had been remanded at the Pademba Road Correctional Centre, attempted to break free while being held in the court’s holding cell. Their escape bid caused a sudden commotion, drawing the attention of both court officials and members of the public present at the court premises.
The situation quickly escalated as the noise from the scuffle spilled out into the surrounding area, drawing large crowds and causing widespread tension. Security at the court premises was temporarily overwhelmed, prompting a swift response from police officers who arrived on the scene to contain the situation.
Officers acted promptly to re-arrest the escapees and restore order. In a coordinated effort with correctional authorities, a secure correctional vehicle was deployed to the scene. All inmates present in the lockup were immediately transferred back to the Pademba Road Correctional Centre as a precautionary measure.
“This was a serious breach that could have endangered lives,” said one of the officers on duty. “We acted quickly to prevent a full-scale escape and ensure the safety of everyone at the court.”
Authorities have launched an internal investigation into the attempted jailbreak to determine how the inmates managed to orchestrate the escape from within the court’s holding facility. Security protocols are also being reviewed to prevent future occurrences.
As of press time, the identities of the Nigerian nationals involved have not been officially disclosed, but sources indicate that they were facing charges related to fraud and immigration violations.
The incident has raised concerns about the security infrastructure at local courts and the need for increased vigilance when handling high-risk inmates
