Not less than 240 prisoners have escaped the Kogi Prison in Kabba, Kogi state after an attack launched by unknown gunmen during the night
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) spokesman, Mr Francis Enobore who confirmed the incident in a communique on Monday, stated that the attack took place at about midnight on Sunday.
According to him, the heavily armed attackers in their numbers stormed the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) located on the Kabba – Lokoja highway, on Sunday night through Monday morning, killing the soldiers keeping guard on the road before attacking the centre.
The gunmen thereafter launched attacks on the prison officers before making ways to set all the prisoners free
Mr Enobore further revealed that the Comptroller–General, Haliru Nababa has ordered a recapture procedure to be activated immediately and detailed investigation carried out even as he leads a team to assess the situation.
The Comptroller-General also appealed to the general public to furnish security operatives with useful intelligence that will assist in recapturing the escapees.
However, the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, in a statement issued on Monday said only two security operatives were killed during the incident.
He said: “We can confirm that some gunmen attacked the Kabba Custodial Centre but investigations are still on to clearly ascertain the number of inmates that escaped from the centre. We also lost two security operatives. That is the number we have at the moment.
“The State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd) is currently at the Centre with the Kogi State Commissioner of Police and the Commander, Army Records, Lokoja. Security agencies have zeroed in to ensure those who escaped are rearrested as well as trail the masterminds of the attack.
“We have confidence in our security agencies to unmask the masterminds responsible for the attack and get them apprehended. Our security network has led to the rearrest of the majority of the inmates that escaped as some have also come back to the centre on their own.
“Security agencies, traditional rulers and local hunters are working in synergy to ensure normalcy. We urge Kogi citizens and citizens of neighbouring states to help volunteer information that will ensure the apprehension of the masterminds of the dastardly act.
“Our people should go about their normal businesses as security agencies are doing their best to ensure the security of lives and property in the face of the unfortunate breach.”