Seven of the twelve inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Koton-Karfe, Kogi State following a security breach on Monday morning have been rearrested.
The Acting Controller General, Nigeria Correctional Service(NCoS), Sly Nwakuche confirmed to newsmen during a press briefing on Monday at the Koton Karfe Correctional Service in Kogi State about the jail break and rearrested inmates.
The Daily Crucible gathered that while five of the escapee inmates were recaptured earlier in the day, additional two were rearrested later, bringing the number to 7.
Nwakuche vowed that the remaining escapees will be captured.
The Acting Controller called on the public to assist security agencies with useful information that will lead to the arrest of all the escaped inmates.
Also, NCoS spokesperson, Abubakar Umar in a statement issued on Monday, narrated the circumstances leading to escape of 12 inmates from the centre.
He aid that the escape occurred when a group of inmates manipulated padlocks in one section of the facility, allowing twelve inmates to flee.
Upon learning of the incident, the Acting Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, quickly mobilised a response in collaboration with heads of security agencies and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Kogi State.
According to him, personnel were sent to secure the facility and restore order while a manhunt began for the escapees, with five of the twelve inmates recaptured and efforts ongoing to find the remaining seven.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Correctional Service confirms a security breach at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Koton-Karfe, Kogi State, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, 24 March, 2024.
“During the unfortunate incident, some inmates in a section of the facility manipulates with the padlocks, leading to the escape of 12 inmates.
“Upon receiving reports of the attack, the Acting Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, in collaboration with heads of sister security agencies including the SSA to the Governor of kogi State immediately mobilised to the facility, and personnel were 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 statement also noted that a investigation had commenced to determine what transpired.
“The Acting Controller General of Corrections has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escaped Additionally, a security audit is being conducted across all correctional facilities nationwide to prevent future occurrences,” the statement added.
