Nigeria’s Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has blamed the negligence of some correctional officers for the recent jailbreak at the Federal Correctional Centre in Koton Karfe, Kogi State. The incident, which occurred early on Monday, led to the escape of about 12 inmates, according to Kogi State Information Commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo.
In response to the breach, the Minister ordered an immediate probe into the incident and vowed that the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) would leverage advanced biometric systems and other technological tools to track down the escapees. As of now, five of the 12 inmates have been recaptured, and efforts are ongoing to capture the remaining fugitives.
Tunji-Ojo addressed the issue during a televised interview on Thursday, where he clarified that the jailbreak was not the result of an external attack but rather an “insider involvement.” He stated, “No walls were breached; it was an internal issue, and negligence on the part of some of our officers is being addressed administratively.”
The Minister emphasized that while the investigation is still underway, it was premature to say the incident was deliberate. He reassured the public that the perimeter fencing of the facility, which was built under the current administration, remains secure. He also revealed that seven of the escapees had already been re-arrested, thanks to the service’s enhanced biometric capabilities. “This situation is different from past incidents, and we are working closely with other agencies to ensure all the escapees are captured,” he added.
In response to the jailbreak, Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has instructed the state’s security adviser to collaborate with the Federal Correctional Centre and other security agencies to prevent future breaches. The Governor also called for calm, assuring residents that security forces are in control of the situation.
The escape and subsequent recapture efforts highlight ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s correctional facilities, but the increased use of technology and a more robust security approach are expected to help prevent future incidents.
