A prison break has occurred in the Federal Correctional Centre in Kotonkarfe, headquarters of Kogi Local Government Area of Kogi State, in the early hours of Monday, March 24, 2025
The State Government confirmed this in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Femi Fanwo.
Fanwo described the incident as “unfortunate” and assured citizens that the State government is taking decisive steps to prevent a recurrence. He revealed that the state government will work with security operatives to unravel the cause of the break as well as ensure that those escapees are rearrested.
According to him, “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.
“Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed the State Security Adviser to collaborate with the Federal Correctional Centre and other security agencies to ensure such security breaches do not happen again. The state government has also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting federal security agencies through logistics and other necessary resources to enhance their operational effectiveness.”
He urged residents to remain vigilant. “We call on the public to report any suspicious individuals in their communities. Anyone found harbouring an escaped inmate will be held accountable,” he warned.
“While investigations continue, the government has assured residents that the situation is under control. “There is no cause for panic. We encourage citizens to go about their daily activities as normal, knowing that the security of lives and property remains our top priority,” Fanwo assured the residents of Kogi State.