12 inmates escape from Kogi prison
Twelve inmates have escaped from the Federal Correctional Centre in Kotonkarfe, Kogi State, on Monday.
Though officials of the facility have declined to comment, the inmates reportedly escaped through the tower.
The jail break was however confirmed by Kogi state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, in a statement.
He said that the incident was unfortunate, and pledged that the government would work with the prison authorities to unravel the cause of the jail break, get the escapees back, and adopt measures 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.
“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 added.
