A Nigerian man, Ola Abimbola jailed for kidnapping has been on the run for nearly a month after absconding from an open prison in Sussex, UK.

Abimbola, 36, who was sentenced to 21 years for conspiracy to kidnap, GBH, blackmail, and false imprisonment, was transferred early to Ford open prison in Arundel under new rules introduced by the Labour government to ease overcrowding in more secure facilities.

Under the previous rules, Abimbola would not have been eligible to move to an open prison for another six years. Open prisons – also known as Category D jails – have minimal security and are usually reserved for prisoners nearing the end of their sentences, to help them reintegrate into society.

However, with chronic overcrowding in higher-security jails, rule changes now allow more prisoners to be transferred to open conditions earlier in their sentences.

Abimbola allegedly walked out of HMP Ford at around 8am on October 10, just a month after his transfer, and has not been seen since.

Sussex Police said it has been working to locate him but has not succeeded. The force has publicised its search on social media and urged the public not to approach him, advising anyone with information to dial 999 immediately.

His escape adds pressure on Justice Secretary David Lammy, following the mistaken release of two foreign sex offenders, Brahim Kaddour-Cherif and Hadush Kebatu, and British fraudster Billy Smith.

Robert Jenrick, shadow justice secretary, said: “Kebatu and Cherif were just the tip of the iceberg. The system is in chaos under ‘Calamity’ Lammy, and the British people are being put in danger.

Mark Drury, a member of the Prison Governors’ Association, warned of a recent rise in absconders from open prisons, noting the “increased risk to the public”.

He said: “There are a large number of prisoners in open prisons now we would not have considered suitable two or three years ago.”

Drury added that risk assessments had become an “algorithm tick box” due to “the pressure on offender management units”.

The Ministry of Justice responded, stating that the “small number of offenders eligible for moves to open prison faced a strict, thorough risk assessment” and that anyone breaking the rules “can be immediately returned”. (Saturday Vanguard)