Twelve inmates have escaped the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Koton Karfe, Kogi State following an early morning jail break.
Sources in the National Headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), revealed that the incident occurred early Monday morning.
In a statement issued on Monday, the State’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, described the incident as “unfortunate” and assured citizens that the government was taking decisive steps to prevent a recurrence.
“The theory 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.
“Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed the State Security Adviser to collaborate with the Federal Correctional Center and other security agencies to ensure such security breaches do not happen again. The state government has also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting federal security agencies through logistics and other necessary resources to enhance their operational effectiveness,” he stated.
Fanwo commended the swift response of security agencies in handling the situation and urged residents to remain vigilant. “We call on the public to report any suspicious individuals in their communities. Anyone found harboring an escaped inmate will be held accountable,” he warned.
While investigations continued, the State government has assured residents that the situation was under control. “There is no cause for panic. We encourage citizens to go about their daily activities as normal, knowing that the security of lives and property remains our top priority,” Fanwo added.
Security agencies were intensifying efforts to track down the remaining escapees, and authorities have promised to provide updates as the situation unfolds.
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Also, Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP William Ovye Aya, could not immediately confirm the actual situation, as he said he was going to the scene of the incident in company of the Commissioner of Police, CP CP Miller G. Dantawaye, for an on-the-spot assessment.
Confirming the report, National Spokesman of the Service, Abubakar Umar, told our correspondents that all the escapees were Awaiting Trial Inmates, (ATI), but two have been captured while efforts are underway to arrests the other ten.
He said all search mechanisms have are being deployed to recapture the fleeing inmates.
“Two of the inmates in our custody at the Koton Karfe medium custodial centre have escaped. They are all on awaiting trial but as I speak to you now two have been captured,” he said.
“We are already working to capture the remaining inmates on the run.”
Umar also said that one officer was killed in the attack.
Details later.
