BREAKING: Minister Orders Probe Into Koton Karfe Prison Break, Vows Recapture Of Fleeing Inmates

Abuja, Nigeria – The Minister of Interior, Hon. (Dr.) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered an immediate investigation into the recent prison break at the Koton Karfe Correctional Centre in Kogi State.

In a statement released on Monday,  by SA Media to the Minister of Interior, Babatunde Alao, described the incident as “unfortunate”.

The Minister assured the public that all escaped inmates would be recaptured using the service’s advanced biometric and technology solutions.

He further directed the Acting Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Ndidi, to visit the facility, assess the damage, and conduct a thorough audit to determine the causes of the security breach.

“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.

Earlier, a prison break occurred at the Federal Correctional Centre in Kotonkarfe, Kogi Local Government Area of Kogi State, in the early hours of Monday.

While the exact number of escapees has yet to be officially confirmed, authorities estimate that no fewer than 12 inmates managed to flee. Unlike previous incidents where gunmen orchestrated jailbreaks, this escape was reportedly executed without external intervention, with inmates allegedly escaping through the tower.

Although prison officials have remained tight-lipped about the incident, the Kogi State government has confirmed the development and called on the Federal Government to launch an investigation.

State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, described the jailbreak as “unfortunate” and assured the public that security agencies are working to recapture the escapees and prevent future occurrences.

“The theory that the inmates escaped through the tower without causing structural damage raises serious concerns,” Fanwo stated.

“A thorough investigation is necessary to uncover the exact circumstances, apprehend the fleeing inmates, and identify any possible internal sabotage.”

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed the State Security Adviser to collaborate with the Federal Correctional Centre and other security agencies to prevent further security breaches.

The state government has also pledged continued support for federal security forces by providing logistics and other necessary resources to bolster their operations.