JUST-IN: 12 Inmates Escape From Custodial Center In Kogi
Twelve inmates have escaped from the Medium Correctional Center in Koton-Karfe, Kogi State, in the early hours of Monday. An officer at the Correctional Center confirmed that one of the escapees has been rearrested and is providing valuable information to law enforcement agents.
Security in the area has been heightened to prevent further incidents, and additional security agents have been deployed to track down the remaining escapees.
The Kogi State government has vowed to work closely with security agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the jailbreak at the Federal Correctional Center. Officials confirmed that one of the escapees has been apprehended, and interrogations are underway.
In a statement released on Monday, the State’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, described the incident as “unfortunate.” He assured the public that decisive steps were being taken to prevent a recurrence.
“The theory that the inmates escaped through the tower without causing any structural damage raises serious concerns,” Fanwo said. “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 federal security agencies, including the Federal Correctional Center, to prevent similar incidents in the future. The state government also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting federal security agencies through logistics and other necessary resources.
Fanwo praised the quick response from security agencies and urged residents to remain vigilant. He also warned that anyone found harboring an escaped inmate would be held accountable.
“While investigations are ongoing, 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,” he added.
Efforts are intensifying to track down the remaining escapees, and authorities promised to provide further updates on the situation.
Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP William Ovye Aya, could not immediately confirm the exact details of the incident, stating that he was heading to the scene with the Commissioner of Police, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, for an on-the-spot assessment.
It is worth noting that the Koton-Karfe Federal Medium Prison was previously attacked in 2014, leading to the escape of 144 prisoners. Another jailbreak occurred in Kabba Local Government Area in 2021.
