Minister Blames Officer Negligence for Kogi Prison Break as Manhunt Intensifies
The recent prison break at the federal correctional centre in Koton Karfe has been attributed to internal negligence rather than an external attack, according to Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Nigeria’s Minister of Interior.
The jailbreak, which occurred early Monday morning, saw 12 inmates escape. However, swift action by security forces has led to the recapture of at least seven of them. Kingsley Fanwo, Kogi State Commissioner for Information, confirmed the incident, which immediately triggered an investigation ordered by the minister.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television program, on Thursday, Tunji-Ojo dismissed claims of an external attack, stressing that the escape resulted from insider involvement.
“Let me correct that we never had a jail attack. No walls were breached, nothing,” he stated. “It was an internal issue—negligence on the part of some of our officers. We are addressing it administratively.”
While the minister refrained from labelling the act as deliberate, he emphasized that the matter remains under investigation. He also highlighted the federal government’s investment in securing the facility, including perimeter fencing and advanced biometric technology to track inmates.
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) has confirmed that five inmates were initially recaptured, with the number rising to seven as of Thursday. Tunji-Ojo credited improved biometric capabilities and inter-agency collaboration for the swift progress in tracking the escapees.
“This situation is not like what happened in the past,” he assured.
Meanwhile, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo has directed the state’s security adviser to work closely with federal correctional authorities and security agencies to prevent future breaches. He urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that security forces are in control.
