Minister Orders Probe into Kogi Jailbreak, Vows to Recapture Fugitives

The Kogi jailbreak is the latest in a series of prison escapes that have plagued Nigeria in recent years, underscoring the vulnerabilities within the nation’s correctional system. Previous incidents, including the high-profile Kuje prison attack in 2022, have raised alarms over the effectiveness of security measures at detention facilities.

Abuja, Nigeria – The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has launched an immediate investigation into the jailbreak at the Koton Karfe Correctional Centre in Kogi State, where several inmates escaped following a security breach.

The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, has raised fresh concerns about prison security in Nigeria, as reports indicate that heavily armed assailants stormed the facility, overpowering the guards and forcing their way into the cells. The number of escaped inmates has yet to be confirmed, but security operatives have since been deployed to track them down.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Babatunde Alao, Tunji-Ojo described the escape as “deeply unfortunate” and assured Nigerians that every fugitive would be recaptured using advanced biometric identification and other security mechanisms.

“We are on top of the situation. Our security forces are on the ground in Kogi, and I have directed a full-scale security audit of the facility to determine the circumstances that led to this breach,” the minister said.

The minister has instructed the Acting Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Ndidi, to visit the prison and carry out a comprehensive security assessment. He also reiterated that lapses within the correctional system would not be tolerated, promising to hold officials accountable if negligence is uncovered.

“All necessary measures, including our robust biometric database and advanced surveillance technology, will be deployed to track down every escaped inmate,” he added.

Tunji-Ojo also took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to reaffirm the government’s resolve in addressing security flaws within the correctional system.

“The jailbreak at Koton Karfe is unfortunate, but we will not let it go unchecked. A full investigation is underway, and every fugitive will be found and brought to justice,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, local authorities and security agencies in Kogi State have heightened surveillance across the region, focusing on border areas to prevent the escapees from fleeing to neighboring states.

The Kogi jailbreak is the latest in a series of prison escapes that have plagued Nigeria in recent years, underscoring the vulnerabilities within the nation’s correctional system. Previous incidents, including the high-profile Kuje prison attack in 2022, have raised alarms over the effectiveness of security measures at detention facilities.

Security experts have called for urgent reforms, including improved intelligence gathering, enhanced fortifications at correctional centers, and better training for prison personnel. In response, the Interior Ministry has pledged to implement stricter security measures across all correctional facilities nationwide to prevent future occurrences.

As the search for the escaped inmates continues, the Nigerian government remains under pressure to address the systemic failures that have led to repeated prison breaks.