The Kogi State Government has confirmed that 12 inmates escaped from the Federal Correctional Center in Kotonkarfe during a jailbreak in the early hours of Monday.

In a statement, Commissioner for Information and Communication Kingsley Femi Fanwo commended security agencies for their swift response while describing the escape as “unfortunate.” He assured citizens that the government is taking decisive steps to prevent a recurrence.

Fanwo stated that the state government is working with security agencies to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“The theory that the inmates escaped through the tower without causing any structural damage raises serious concerns. This calls for a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the escape, arrest the fleeing inmates, and identify possible saboteurs within the system,” he said.

Governor Ahmed Ododo has directed the State Security Adviser to collaborate with the correctional center and other security agencies to prevent future breaches.

The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting federal security agencies with logistics and other resources to enhance their operations.

While investigations continue, the government has assured residents that the situation is under control.