KOGI PRISON BREAK: Minister Blames Warders for Security Lapse at Custodial Centre
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has attributed the recent jailbreak at the Federal Correctional Centre in Koton Karfe, Kogi State, to negligence by prison officers, ruling out any external attack.
Speaking on Channels Television on Thursday, Tunji-Ojo clarified that the breach, which led to the escape of 12 inmates in the early hours of Monday, was an internal security failure rather than an orchestrated assault on the facility.
“It was an insider issue—no walls were breached, nothing external,” the minister stated. “This was due to negligence on the part of some of our officers, and we are addressing it administratively.”
Following the escape, the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) launched an immediate manhunt, leveraging biometric data and other technological tools to track down the fugitives. As of Thursday, seven of the 12 escapees had been recaptured, while efforts continue to apprehend the remaining five.
Tunji-Ojo assured the public that corrective measures were being taken to prevent future breaches, emphasizing that the facility had undergone security enhancements under the current administration.
Authorities have since launched a full-scale investigation to determine the level of culpability of the officers involved, with disciplinary actions expected for those found responsible.
By PRNigeria