Kogi State Government has confirmed reports of an unfortunate jailbreak at the Federal Correctional Center, Kotonkarfe, in the early hours of Monday.
The Commissioner of Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo in a statement said 12 inmates escaped from the facility, with one already rearrested and returned to custody.
The jailbreak theory is unacceptable to the Kogi State Government as there are clear evidences of internal compromise and collaboration, leading to the unfortunate breach.
According to him, government has consistently supported federal security agencies in their efforts to maintain law and order across the state.
The efforts he noted include; providing logistics and other essential resources to enhance their operational effectiveness.
He further said “The circumstances surrounding the escape, including reports suggesting that the inmates fled through the tower without causing structural damage to the facility, raise serious concerns that necessitate a thorough investigation. It is imperative to establish the full facts, apprehend all escaped inmates, prevent future occurrences, and identify any internal or external collaborators who may have facilitated this breach. The security of Kogi State remains our top priority, and we expect the relevant agencies to leave no stone unturned in addressing this incident.”
The Commissioner stated that the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has directed the State Security Adviser to work closely with the Federal Correctional Center and all relevant security agencies to ensure such an incident does not recur.
Fanwo noted that Government stands ready to provide all necessary support to get to the root of the matter and strengthen security measures across the state.
We have been informed that one of the escaped inmates has already been rearrested and is providing valuable information to security agencies. The Government will closely monitor the investigation and response efforts to ensure all those responsible, whether inmates or accomplices are brought to justice.
He commended the prompt response of the Federal Correctional Center and security agencies in managing the situation.
The Commissioner urged all citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals or activities in their communities to law enforcement authorities, saying any individual or community found harboring escaped inmates will be held accountable.
We assure the good people of Kogi State that there is no cause for panic. The government, in collaboration with security agencies, is fully in control of the situation. We encourage everyone to continue their daily activities peacefully, knowing that decisive action is being taken to safeguard lives and property.
