A total number of 227 prisoners escaped on Monday while over 100 were rearrested after an early morning downpour in Koton-Karfe, Kogi Local Government Area of Kogi.
The heavy downpour resulted in the flood which caused some parts of the correctional centre including the fence to cave in, thereby giving room for escape.
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The Controller General of Prison Jafaru Ahmed who was at the Koto-Karfe correctional center to assess the level of damage on the facility told Channels Television that some of the inmates returned to the centre on their own volition while others were recaptured by security agents.
“As at 3:00 am the flood started and as at 5:00 am the prisoners were able to escape. Some of those who escaped, as I speak to you, are returning.
“Others have been captured following efforts by security agencies including the Police, the Army, and the Navy who have assisted to secure the place.
“Search parties have gone into the bush to recapture others.”
Ahmed, however, described the situation as a natural disaster and added that efforts are on to track the remaining 98 inmates. He disclosed that the inmates will be moved to another correctional home.
Special Adviser the Kogi State Governor on Security, Jerry Omodara, who was also at the scene of the disaster told Channels Television that over 100 of the escaped inmates have been rearrested.
He appealed to Kogi residents with useful information that will lead to the arrest of the other inmates on the run to contact the nearest police station.
This is not the first time inmates will escape from the Koto-Karfe prison as a similar incident was recorded in 2016 when about 13 inmates broke their cells and escaped through the fence.
