WorldStage Newsonline– The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that 12 inmates escaped from the Koton Karfe Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kogi in the early hours of Monday.
The Kogi Government has vowed to work closely with security agencies to unravel the circumstances behind the jailbreak while the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered an immediate probe.
The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), NCoS, Mr Abubakar Umar said that two of the inmates had been recaptured, while efforts were being made to recapture the remaining 10.
Umar assured that a comprehensive investigation had been launched to unravel the circumstances surrounding the jail break.
“We are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident especially to determine how the inmates managed to break out without causing structural damage.
“Unfortunately, one of our officers lost his life during the incident.
“We are working closely with the police and other security agencies to ensure that the escaped inmates are rearrested and brought back to custody “, he said.
The Kogi Government in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Kingsley Fanwo described the incident as “unfortunate,” assured citizens that the state government is taking decisive steps to prevent a recurrence.
“The fact that the inmates escaped through the tower without causing any structural damage raises serious concerns.
“This calls for a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the escape, arrest the fleeing inmates, and identify possible saboteurs within the system,” Fanwo said.
Fanwo added that Gov. Ahmed Ododo has directed the State Security Adviser to collaborate with the corrections centre and other security agencies to ensure such security breaches do not happen again.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo in a statement by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Babatunde Alao described the incident as unfortunate, and vowed to ensure all fleeing inmates are captured.
He said that the ministry would leverage on the service’s robust biometrics and already deployed technological solutions to ensure this.
Tunji-Ojo also ordered the Acting Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Ndidi, to visit the facility.
He also directed Ndidi to evaluate the situation and commence a comprehensive audit to unravel the events that led to the incident.
He gave the assurance that the ministry, alongside security agencies, were on top of the situation to ensure law and order was maintained.
