TUESDAY March 25, 2025 |
By thenewsdesk.ng
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered an immediate investigation into the jailbreak at the Koton Karfe Correctional Centre in Kogi State, describing the incident as “unfortunate”, assuring Nigerians that all escaped inmates would be recaptured using advanced biometric technology and other security measures. In a statement issued on Monday, March 24, 2025, by his Special Adviser on Media, Babatunde Alao, Tunji-Ojo emphasised the Federal Government’s determination to uncover the circumstances surrounding the prison break, according to INDEPENDENT newspaper.
He also directed the Acting Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Ndidi, to visit the facility and conduct a comprehensive security audit.
“We are on top of the situation. Our men are on ground in Kogi, and I have ordered a comprehensive audit of the situation,” the minister stated. He further assured Nigerians that the authorities would leave no stone unturned in tracking down the fleeing inmates.
“All necessary measures, including our robust biometric database and existing technology solutions, will be deployed to recapture every escaped inmate,” he added. In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Tunji-Ojo reiterated his commitment to ensuring accountability within the correctional system.
“The jailbreak at Koton Karfe is unfortunate, but we will get to the root of it. We will not allow breaches like this to go unchecked. Every fugitive will be found and brought to justice,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) said it lost one of its officers during the jailbreak at the Koton Karfe Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kogi in the early hours of Monday. It also revealed that five out of 12 inmates that escaped from the correctional centre have been rearrested.
This is contained in a statement issued by Abubakar Umar, the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC), on Monday in Abuja. During the incident, some of the Awaiting Trial Inmates (ATIs) in a section of the facility allegedly manipulated the padlocks, leading to the escape of 12 inmates.
Umar stated that upon receiving reports of the incident, the Acting Controller-General of NCoS, Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche, in collaboration with heads of sister security agencies including the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor of Kogi immediately mobilised to the facility.
He said that personnel were also deployed to secure the facility, restore order and initiate a manhunt for the escapees. “As of this moment, five of the fleeing inmates have been recaptured, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining inmates and bring them to justice.
“The NCoS acting controller-general has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“Additionally, a security audit is being conducted across all correctional facilities nationwide to prevent future occurrences. “We urge members of the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing any useful information that may assist in the recapture of those still at large inmates.
“Citizens are also encouraged to report any suspicious activities to the nearest security agency,” he said. Umar assured Nigerians that custodial centres were secured and measures were being reinforced to strengthen security across all facilities.
The NCoS, he said, is committed to ensure all correctional facilities fulfill their mandate of safe custody, rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates.
