Police are hunting for Temitope Segun, a prisoner who escaped from a prison transport van in London on Monday.
Public reports have not stated Segun’s nationality. However, Temitope Segun is a Yoruba name commonly associated with people from south-west Nigeria.
Temitope means “mine is worthy of thanks” or “my situation deserves gratitude.” Segun is usually a short form of Olusegun, meaning “God has conquered” or “God is victorious.”
Together, Temitope Segun can be understood as meaning: “My life is worthy of thanks, and God is victorious.”
Public reports have also not stated the original offence for which Segun was in custody. The Met Police has only said that he absconded from a prison transport van in Woolwich and is wanted by officers. The force has not said what charge or conviction led to him being transported.
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The sources for the prison figures are the UK Ministry of Justice and HM Prison and Probation Service official statistics.
The Offender Management Statistics Quarterly for January to March 2025 shows that the total prison population in England and Wales stood at 87,334 on 30 June 2025. It also states that there were 10,772 foreign national prisoners on the same date.
Among foreign national prisoners, there were 216 Nigerian male prisoners. This means Nigerian male prisoners made up about 2% of foreign national prisoners.
Temitope Segun, 25, was last seen on Woolwich High Street at around 6.40pm, according to the Met Police.
Video shared on social media appears to show the scene moments after the escape. Police cars with flashing lights could be seen near a prison van outside the now-closed Waterfront Leisure Centre.
Police say Segun is believed to have links to Plumstead, Abbey Wood and Woolwich. Detectives have released his image.
Detective Sergeant Claudine Manning, who is leading the search, said: “My team of dedicated officers are working around the clock to trace and apprehend Temitope Segun. It is imperative that the public contact police via 999 if they see him or know where he may be.
“He was last seen wearing a black jacket, black trousers and black trainers and has links across south London.”
