Jailbreak: 12 inmates escape from Kogi prison

A prison break took place in the Federal Correctional Centre in Kotonkarfe, located in Kogi Local Government Area, during the early hours of Monday. While the exact number of escapees has not been officially confirmed, the state government has reported that at least 12 inmates managed to escape from the facility.

Unlike previous incidents in which armed gunmen orchestrated the prison breaks, this time, the escape occurred without external intervention. Authorities believe that the inmates escaped through the prison tower, a method that has raised concerns about security breaches within the facility.

While officials at the correctional centre have refrained from commenting on the incident, the Kogi State government has confirmed the event and urged the Federal Government to investigate the breach thoroughly.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, emphasized the government’s commitment to investigating the escape and apprehending those involved. He assured the public that the state government would collaborate with security agencies to uncover the causes of the break and ensure the escapees are rearrested.

“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,” Fanwo stated.

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Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has instructed the State Security Adviser to work with the Federal Correctional Centre and other security agencies to ensure such an event does not happen again.

The state government has also pledged to support federal security agencies by providing necessary resources to enhance their operational capacity.

Fanwo also praised the swift response of security agencies and urged residents to stay vigilant. “We call on the public to report any suspicious individuals in their communities. Anyone found harbouring an escaped inmate will be held accountable,” he warned.

As investigations continue, the Kogi State government assured residents that the situation is under control and advised the public not to panic.

“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 concluded.

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