Twelve inmates have escaped in a jail break in the early hours of Monday in Kogi State.
Kogi State Government confirmed this in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo.
He commended the swift response of security agencies to the jailbreak at the Correctional Centre in Kotonkarfe, where 12 inmates escaped.
Fanwo described the incident as “unfortunate” and assured citizens that the State government is taking decisive steps to prevent a recurrence.
He stated that the Kogi State government would work with security agencies to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“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.
Fanwo added that 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.
While investigations continue, the government has assured residents 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.
