•Orders probe of Kogi jaibreak
From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja, Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed the arrest of five out of 12 fleeing inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Koton-Karfe, Kogi State, which occurred in the early hours of yesterday .
In a statement, National Public Relations Officer of the service, Abubakar Umar said that during the incident, some inmates in a section of the facility manipulated the padlocks, leading to the escape of 12 inmates.
Upon receiving reports of the attack, the Acting Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, in collaboration with heads of sister security agencies, including the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor of Kogi State immediately mobilised to the facility, and personnel were deployed to secure the facility, restore order, and initiate a manhunt for the escapees.
“As of this moment, five of the fleeing inmates have been recaptured, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining inmates and bring them to justice” he said
Umar noted that the acting Controller General of Corrections, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escaped inmates.
Additionally, a security audit is being conducted across all correctional facilities nationwide to prevent future occurrences. The service has urged members of the public to remain calm and co-operate with security agencies by providing any useful information that may assist in the recapture of those still at large.
“Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activities to the nearest security agency.
The service assures Nigerians that the safety of custodial centres remains a top priority, and measures are being reinforced to strengthen security across all facilities. The NCoS remains committed to ensuring that correctional facilities fulfill their mandate of safe custody, rehabilitation, and reintegration of inmates” the public relations officer, said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government (FG) has ordered a probe into the Prison jailbreak.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who ordered immediate probe into the jailbreak,in a statement, described the incident as unfortunate, and vowed to ensure that all fleeing inmates are captured leveraging the service’s robust biometrics and already deployed technology solutions.
Also, the minister has ordered the acting Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Ndidi, to visit the facility in Kogi to evaluate the situation, and commence a comprehensive audit to unravel the events that led to the incident.
“We are on top of the situation. Our men are on ground in Kogi, and I have ordered a comprehensive audit of the situation,” he said.
Four days ago at the Annual Press Briefing, organised by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in Abuja, Tunji-Ojo said that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has recorded two jailbreaks and no jail attack.
A jailbreak, he explained, is organised by the inmates while a jail attack is organised from outside the prison.
He, however, noted that the ministry had put in place a proactive policing system which made it possible for the inmates in Suleija Prison who escaped after a heavy flood felled their fence, to be rearrested under 48 hours.
Tunji-Ojo also noted that in one year, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, approved the promotion of 52,000 paramilitary officers and the ministry has started another promotion examination for 2025.
More than 12 inmates were said to have escaped after they forcefully broke the walls of the prison over powering the few Correctional officers on ground.
According to a witness account, the jail break occured in the early hours of yesterday with the escapees disappearing into a nearby forest.
One of the inmates who was said to be nearing the completion of his jail term was said to have voluntarily surrendered himself to the correctional officer at about 9 am.
Our Correspondent learnt that the jail break would be the fifth times inmates would be violently escaping from the kotonkarfi correctional center in recent time
Meanwhile, kogi State Government has vowed to work with security agencies to uncover the circumstances surrounding the early morning jailbreak at the Federal Correctional Center
In a statement issued yesterday, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, described the incident as unfortunate and assured citizens that the government is 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,” Fanwo said.
“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”
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 continue, the government has assured residents that the situation is 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 are intensifying efforts to track down the remaining escapees, and authorities have promised to provide updates as the situation unfolds” the statement added