At least 12 inmates escaped from the Federal Correctional Centre in Kotonkarfe, Kogi State, in the early hours of Monday.
Confirming the incident in a statement from Lokoja, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, described the jailbreak as unfortunate. He assured residents that the government was taking swift measures to prevent future occurrences.
Fanwo stated that the state government is working closely with security agencies to investigate the circumstances of the escape. Notably, he highlighted concerns over reports that the inmates fled through the tower without causing structural damage.
“This situation demands a thorough investigation to uncover the exact details of the escape, track down the fleeing inmates, and identify any potential internal sabotage,” he remarked.
Despite the incident, Fanwo urged the public to remain calm, emphasizing that the security of lives and property remains the government’s top priority.
Security agencies have launched a manhunt for the escaped prisoners, while an internal probe is underway to determine if any security breaches or insider involvement facilitated the breakout. Further updates are expected as investigations continue.
