The Nigerian Correctional Service has confirmed the recapture of five out of 12 inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Koton-Karfe, Kogi State, following a security breach on Monday morning.
The NCoS spokesperson, Abubakar Umar, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
According to the statement, the escape occurred when a group of inmates manipulated padlocks in one section of the facility, allowing twelve individuals to flee.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Correctional Service confirms a security breach at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Koton-Karfe, Kogi State, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, 24 March, 2024.
“During the unfortunate incident, some inmates in a section of the facility tampered with the padlocks, leading to the escape of 12 inmates.
“Upon receiving reports of the attack, the Acting Comptroller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, in collaboration with heads of sister security agencies including the SSA to the Governor of Kogi State immediately mobilized 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.”
The statement also noted that a comprehensive investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the escape, and a nationwide security audit of all correctional facilities is underway to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The NCoS has assured the public that steps are being taken to strengthen security measures at custodial centres across the country.
The service also urged citizens to report any suspicious activities to security agencies to aid in the recapture of the remaining escapees.
“The Acting Comptroller General of Corrections has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape. Additionally, a security audit is being conducted across all correctional facilities nationwide to prevent future occurrences,” the statement added.
The Service urged citizens to report any suspicious activities to security agencies to aid in the recapture of the remaining inmates, assuring Nigerians that security measures at custodial centres were being reinforced.
Minister probes Kogi jailbreak
Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered an immediate investigation into the jailbreak at the Koton Karfe Correctional Centre in Kogi State.
The minister described the incident as “unfortunate” and assured Nigerians that all escaped inmates would be recaptured using advanced biometric technology and other security measures.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media, Babatunde Alao, Tunji-Ojo emphasised the government’s determination to uncover the circumstances surrounding the prison break.
He also directed the Acting Comptroller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Ndidi, to visit the facility and conduct a comprehensive security audit.
“We are on top of the situation. Our men are on ground in Kogi, and I have ordered a comprehensive audit of the situation,” the minister stated.
He further assured Nigerians that the authorities would leave no stone unturned in tracking down the fleeing inmates.
“All necessary measures, including our robust biometric database and existing technology solutions, will be deployed to recapture every escaped inmate,” he added.
In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Tunji-Ojo reiterated his commitment to ensuring accountability within the correctional system.
“The jailbreak at Koton Karfe is unfortunate, but we will get to the root of it. We will not allow breaches like this to go unchecked. Every fugitive will be found and brought to justice,” he wrote.
The minister assured the public of strengthened security at correctional facilities across the country to prevent future occurrences.
He reaffirmed that the Nigerian Correctional Service would be held accountable for lapses and that corrective measures would be swiftly implemented.
The Koton Karfe jailbreak is the latest in a series of prison security breaches in Nigeria, raising concerns over the safety and management of correctional facilities.
However, Tunji-Ojo maintained that his ministry is committed to enforcing stricter security measures.