AMBON, bhayaksa.net — The run of IB, alias M (23), a convicted murderer whose escape sparked widespread panic across Ambon City, has finally come to an unexpected end. The city’s most wanted fugitive over the past four days was successfully recaptured by law enforcement officers in a location highly familiar to local residents.
According to official statements from the Police, the inmate initially escaped from Cell-1, Merpati Block at the Ambon Class IIA Correctional Facility on Sunday (8/23/2026) at approximately 4:30 AM WIT. IB reportedly broke through the ceiling of his prison cell before daringly scaling the outer perimeter wall using a makeshift rope crafted from tied sarongs. The convict cleverly exploited a temporary power outage at the facility and an unstaffed guard tower caused by personnel shortages to facilitate his escape. Records show that IB is a cold-blooded killer who was sentenced to 9 years in prison back in 2023.
Following an intensive manhunt and tracking the suspect’s every move, officers from the Teluk Ambon Police District successfully pinpointed the fugitive’s whereabouts on Thursday (8/27/2026) afternoon around 10:30 AM WIT. In a shocking twist, IB was found hiding out inside a densely populated boarding house in the Poka / Kota Jawa area, Teluk Ambon District—situated right underneath the massive structure of the Merah Putih Bridge (JMP). When raided, IB was caught spending time with a woman identified as his girlfriend and immediately surrendered without putting up any significant resistance.
Responding to the security breach, the Warden of the Ambon Class IIA Correctional Facility, Sumarwoto Hendra Budiman, issued an official public statement. “We extend our deepest apologies to all residents of Ambon City for the anxiety caused following the escape of this inmate,” Sumarwoto stated during the administrative transfer process. He added that a strict internal investigation is underway to comprehensively evaluate the physical security system, guarding SOPs, and check for any potential negligence among the guards on duty that night.
Law enforcement authorities emphasized that to maintain public safety and eliminate any vulnerabilities for future escape attempts, IB was instantly transferred under maximum security to the Class III Namlea Correctional Facility in Buru Regency.
Reporter: Milan Conny Manuputty
Editor: bhayaksa.net Team
