No fewer than twelve inmates escaped in a jailbreak in the early hours of Monday in Kogi State.
The Kogi State Government acknowledged this in a statement issued by Kingsley Femi Fanwo, Commissioner for Information and Communication.
He praised security authorities’ prompt response to the jailbreak at the Federal Correctional Centre in Kotonkarfe, where 12 convicts fled.
Fanwo applauded security services’ quick response and termed the escape as ‘unfortunate’, assuring citizens that the state administration is taking serious action to prevent a repetition.
According to him, the Kogi State administration has promised to cooperate with security authorities to investigate the occurrence.
“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 Ododo has directed the State Security Adviser to collaborate with the Federal Correctional Centre and other security agencies to prevent similar breaches in the future.
The state government has also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting federal security agencies with logistics and resources to improve their operational effectiveness.
While investigations are ongoing, the administration has assured people 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,” he added.
