From Emmanuel Adeyemi, Lokoja
More than 12 inmates are said to have escaped after they forcefully broke the walls of Kotonkarfe Federal Prison, overpowering the few correctional officers on duty.
According to an eyewitness account, the jailbreak occurred in the early hours of Monday, with the escapees disappearing into a nearby forest. One of the inmates, who was said to be nearing the completion of his jail term, reportedly surrendered himself voluntarily to a correctional officer at about 9 a.m.
Our correspondent learnt that the Monday jailbreak will be the fifth time inmates have violently escaped from the Kotonkarfe Correctional Centre in recent times.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Government has vowed to work with security agencies to uncover the circumstances surrounding the early morning jailbreak at the Federal Correctional Centre.
In a statement issued on Monday, 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 Centre 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 harbouring 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 concluded.