Kogi Jail Break: 12 Escaped Inmates Re-Arrested

koton karfe prisons
PHOTO CREDIT: THE NATION

The Nigeria Prison Service, NPS, says it has re-arrested 12 inmates out of the 144 that escaped from the Koton-Karfe Prisons, Kogi State, Sunday night.

Gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram insurgents had attacked the prison facility around 9.30 pm on Sunday, released the 144 inmates comprising 26 convicts and 119 awaiting trial inmates.

The NPS Public Relations Officer, Ope Fatinikun, who confirmed the development on Monday, explained that the police have begun an investigation into the jail-break.

Fatinikun disclosed that an inmate died during the attack while another one who was injured, had been taken to the hospital for treatment.

The NPS spokesman also said a prison officer, who suffered a gunshot injury, has also been hospitalized and is responding to treatment.

He said, “Unknown gunmen invaded Koton- Karfe priso between 9.30 and 10 pm and immediately it happened, the acting Controller-General of Prisons, Aminu Suley informed the Inspector-General of Police, and the Chief of Defence Staff and they ordered policemen and soldiers to beef up security around the prison and to arrest the fleeing inmates.

“So far, 12 inmates have been captured”.

The Koton-Karfe prison is located on the Lokoja-Abuja Road.