The Kogi State government has confirmed the escape of twelve inmates during a jailbreak at the Federal Correctional Centre in Kotonkarfe on Monday.
Kingsley Fanwo, the state commissioner for information, described the incident as “unfortunate” and voiced concerns about how the inmates managed to escape through the towers without causing any structural damage.
Mr Fanwo assured citizens that the government is collaborating with security agencies to prevent such incidents from happening again. He stated that law enforcement has already re-arrested one of the escapees.
“The fact that the inmates escaped through the tower without inflicting any structural damage raises serious concerns. This necessitates a thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances of the escape, apprehend the remaining fugitives, and identify any potential saboteurs within the system,” Mr Fanwo remarked.
He noted that Governor Usman Ododo has instructed security agencies to ensure such breaches do not occur in the future.
“We urge the public to report any suspicious individuals in their communities. Anyone found harbouring an escaped inmate will be held accountable,” he warned.
“There is no need for panic. We encourage citizens to continue their daily activities as usual, assured that the security of lives and property is our top priority,” Mr Fanwo added.
