Inmate Who Fled Nusakambangan Island Captured by Cilacap Residents After Brief Escape to Mainland
An inmate was reported to have fled the prison facility on Nusakambangan Island, Cilacap, Central Java on Monday (9 March) evening. The inmate successfully crossed to the Cilacap mainland but was apprehended by residents of Kutawaru Village, Central Cilacap District.
Wari, a resident of Kutawaru Village, stated the incident occurred at approximately 19:30 Western Indonesian Time. The inmate crossed from Nusakambangan to Ciperet Hamlet, Kutawaru, via sea route using a local fisherman’s boat.
According to Wari, the fisherman in the area was reportedly requested, and allegedly coerced, to transport the escapee to Kutawaru whilst residents were performing tarawih prayers.
“Around 19:30, whilst residents were performing tarawih, a fisherman was asked to transport someone from Nusakambangan to Kutawaru,” he said on Tuesday (10 March).
He added that the inmate claimed to be carrying a sharp weapon commonly used for gardening at Nusakambangan. This was reportedly stated as a threat to convince the fisherman to transport him.
“He said he was carrying a sharp gardening tool used at Nusakambangan. That was mentioned to make the fisherman willing to transport him,” he explained.
Wari stated that only one fisherman ultimately agreed to transport the inmate. Other fishermen followed at a distance to ensure the situation remained safe.
Upon arriving at Ciperet dock, the escapee immediately fled by running along rice paddy embankments. He was subsequently spotted heading towards the main road before entering a residential compound.
Residents who became aware of the suspicious individual then surrounded the area until the escapee was finally captured behind one resident’s home at approximately 20:15 Western Indonesian Time.
Information circulating among the public indicated the inmate was from Solo. However, no official explanation regarding his full identity or detailed escape sequence has been provided.
Cilacap Police Station Public Relations Officer, Ipda Galih Soecahyo, confirmed that an inmate had briefly escaped from Nusakambangan Island. Residents suspicious of someone still wearing prison attire subsequently apprehended him.
“Residents had already heard reports of an inmate’s escape. Upon seeing a suspicious individual still wearing prison clothes, residents immediately secured and questioned him. It turned out the person was indeed the inmate who had fled,” Galih explained.
After being secured, the inmate was subsequently transported by police with Nusakambangan Penal Facility officers to Sodong Dock. Based on available information, the inmate was found to have fled from Nusakambangan’s Nirbaya Penal Facility.