Kogi Jailbreak: FG Activates Special Task Force To Re-arrest Inmates

The Federal Government has reacted to the attack on the Medium Security Correctional Centre in the Kabba area of Kogi State.

Naija News earlier reported that unknown gunmen attacked the federal facility on Sunday night, releasing about 240 inmates in the process.

The gunmen killed two soldiers who mounted a barricade in the area and injured some prison officials before invading the facility.

Reacting to the attack on the facility on Monday, the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, stated that a Special Task Force has been activated to recapture inmates who fled from the facility.

Aregbesola, in a statement on Monday by his spokesman, Sola Fasure, said that some of the inmates who earlier fled have been arrested while others returned to the facility on their own.

The minister added that International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) has been immediately contacted to look out for any of the inmates who may attempt to flee the country.

Aregbesola disclosed that the gunmen used explosives to destroy three sides of the perimeter fence before releasing the inmates.

He, however, asked the public to remain calm and not worry, urging Kabba residents to report any suspicious activity.

“The Kabba custodial facility had 294 inmates as of the time of the attack, many of whom escaped after the gunmen used explosives to destroy three sides of the perimeter fence. However, there remain 28 inmates who didn’t escape. Some have also voluntarily returned to the facility as of this morning.

“A Crisis Response Centre has been activated and a Special Taskforce mobilized to recapture escaped inmates whilst an Inter-Agency Security Task Force is already on the trail of the gunmen who attacked the facility. The public is advised to stay calm as the situation is under control.

“The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, assures the citizenry that Nigeria’s security forces will find the attackers and bring them to justice. We shall leave no stone unturned to bring them back to custody. We are also putting INTERPOL on notice with their details, in case any of them attempts fleeing outside our shores.

“To the fleeing inmates, escaping from lawful custody is a serious criminal offence. Law enforcement agencies and citizens are lawfully empowered to use all necessary means to arrest and bring you to justice.

“You should therefore know what you are up against. You will however be eligible for mitigation if you wilfully surrender yourselves at the nearest law enforcement office,” the statement reads.