Five of the 12 inmates who escaped from the Koton Karfe Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) in Kogi State on Monday morning have been recaptured, while seven remain at large.
Spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Abubakar Umar, confirmed that all the escapees were Awaiting Trial Inmates (ATI).
He stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining fugitives.
“All search mechanisms have been deployed to recapture the fleeing inmates,” Umar said.
He further explained that a coordinated search party, including security agencies and local vigilantes, has been mobilized to track down the escapees.
“A search party has been deployed to all exit and entry routes in Kogi State. The search party is a combination of all the security agencies, including the local vigilantes, so that the inmates can be captured.”
The jailbreak resulted in the death of a correctional officer on duty, while 12 ATI managed to escape from the facility.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered an immediate investigation into the custodial centre breach.
Describing the incident as unfortunate, the minister assured that the government is determined to recapture all the escaped inmates using advanced biometric systems and existing technology.
“We are on top of the situation. Our men are on ground in Kogi, and I have ordered a comprehensive audit of the situation,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
He also directed the Acting Controller General of the NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, to visit the facility, assess the situation, and conduct a thorough review to understand how the escape occurred.
