…from Koton-Karfe custodial centre in Kogi
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) says 12 inmates escaped from the Koton Karfe Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kogi in the early hours of Monday.
The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), NCoS, Mr Abubakar Umar, who made this known in Abuja said that two of the escaped inmates have been recaptured, while efforts are being made to recapture the remaining 10 inmates.
Umar assured that a comprehensive investigation had been launched to unravel the circumstances surrounding the jail break.
“We are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident especially to determine how the inmates managed to break out without causing structural damage.
“Unfortunately, one of our officer lost his life during the incident.
“We are working closely with the police and other security agencies to ensure that the escaped inmates are rearrested and brought back to custody “, he said.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered an immediate probe into the prison break at the Koton Karfe Correctional Centre in Kogi.
This is contained in a statement by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Babatunde Alao, on Monday in Abuja.
The minister described the incident as unfortunate, and vowed to ensure all fleeing inmates are captured.
He said that the ministry would leverage on the service’s robust biometrics and already deployed technological solutions to ensure this.
Tunji-Ojo also ordered the Acting Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Ndidi, to visit the facility.
He also directed Ndidi to evaluate the situation and commence a comprehensive audit to unravel the events that led to the incident.
He gave the assurance that the ministry, alongside security agencies, were on top of the situation to ensure law and order was maintained.(NAN)
