Gladness Gideon
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered an immediate investigation into the jailbreak at the Koton Karfe Correctional Centre in Kogi State, assuring Nigerians that all escaped inmates will be recaptured using advanced biometric technology and other security measures.
Describing the incident as “unfortunate,” Tunji-Ojo emphasized the government’s resolve to uncover the circumstances surrounding the prison break. In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media, Babatunde Alao, the minister directed the Acting Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Ndidi, to conduct a comprehensive security audit of the facility.
“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,” he said.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to accountability, Tunji-Ojo assured Nigerians that no effort would be spared 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.
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Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) account, the minister reiterated his stance, stating, “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.”
Tunji-Ojo further reassured the public that security at correctional facilities across the country would be reinforced to prevent future breaches. He also stressed that the NCoS would be held accountable for any lapses, with corrective measures implemented swiftly.
The Koton Karfe jailbreak is the latest in a series of prison security breaches in Nigeria, raising fresh concerns over the safety and management of correctional facilities. However, the minister maintained that his administration remains committed to strengthening security measures and ensuring that such incidents do not recur.