The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered an immediate investigation into the jailbreak at Koton Karfe Correctional Centre in Kogi State.
The minister called the event “unfortunate” and promised Nigerians that all escaped inmates will be apprehended using advanced biometric technology and other security procedures.
Tunji-Ojo’s Special Adviser on Media, Babatunde Alao, issued a statement on Monday emphasising the government’s resolve to investigate the circumstances behind the prison break.
He also asked Sylvester Ndidi, Acting Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, to visit the prison and perform a thorough security audit.
“We are on top of the situation. Our men are on the ground in Kogi, and I have ordered a comprehensive audit of the situation,” the minister stated.
Tunji-Ojo further assured Nigerians that the authorities would leave no stone unturned in tracking down the fleeing inmates.
“All necessary measures, including our robust biometric database and existing technology solutions, will be deployed to recapture every escaped inmate,” he added.
Tunji-Ojo reaffirmed his commitment to accountability in the penitentiary system in a tweet on his official X account.
“The jailbreak at Koton Karfe is unfortunate, but we will get to the root of it. We will not allow breaches like this to go unchecked. Every fugitive will be found and brought to justice,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, the minister reassured the public that security at correctional facilities around the country will be strengthened to prevent similar incidents in the future.
He underlined that the Nigerian Correctional Service would be held accountable for any shortcomings and that corrective measures would be implemented as soon as possible.
The Koton Karfe jailbreak is the latest in a string of prison security breaches in Nigeria, raising worries about the safety and management of correctional facilities.
However, Tunji-Ojo insisted that his ministry is dedicated to enforcing stronger security measures.
