Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, has ordered an immediate investigation into the recent prison break at the Koton Karfe Correctional Centre in Kogi State.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Babatunde Alao, the Minister described the incident as unfortunate and assured the public that all fleeing inmates would be recaptured.
He emphasized that the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) would leverage its advanced biometric system and existing technology solutions to track down the escapees.
The Minister directed Sylvester Ndidi, Acting Controller General of NCoS, to visit the facility and conduct a comprehensive audit to determine the cause of the breach.
Read also: Kogi Prison Break: 12 inmates escape as state government demands probe
“We are on top of the situation. Our men are on the ground in Kogi, and I have ordered a comprehensive audit of the situation,” Tunji-Ojo stated.
Confirming the incident, Abubakar Umar National Spokesman of NCoS, revealed that all the escapees were Awaiting Trial Inmates (ATI).
He disclosed that two had already been recaptured while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the remaining ten.
“Twelve of the inmates in our custody at the Koton Karfe Medium Custodial Centre have escaped. They were all awaiting trial, but as I speak to you now, two have been captured. We are already working to capture the remaining inmates on the run”, Umar said.
Umar further confirmed that one correctional officer was killed during the attack.
