BREAKING: 12 Inmates Escape in Kogi Jailbreak, Authorities Scramble to Recapture Fugitives

By Emmanuel Kwada

A daring jailbreak occurred at the Federal Correctional Centre in Kotonkarfe, Kogi State, on Monday, March 24, 2025, resulting in the escape of 12 inmates. According to Kogi State Information Commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo, the incident is being investigated, and law enforcement agencies have already re-arrested one of the escapees.

Fanwo described the incident as “unfortunate” and assured citizens that the government, working with security agencies, would take steps to prevent a recurrence. He also warned that anyone found harbouring an escaped inmate would be held accountable.

Governor Usman Ododo has asked security agencies to ensure such security breaches do not happen again. The commissioner urged the public to report any suspicious individuals in their communities, emphasizing that there is no cause for panic.

The Kogi State Government has vowed to work with security agencies to uncover the circumstances surrounding the jailbreak and apprehend the fleeing inmates

The Kogi State Government has vowed to work with security agencies to uncover the circumstances surrounding the jailbreak and apprehend the fleeing inmates. An investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances of the escape and identify possible saboteurs within the system.

In a similar incident in 2018, six out of thirteen escapee inmates were recaptured, and the Controller-General of Prisons, Mr. Ja’afaru Ahmed, led a team on an on-the-spot assessment of the facility in Koton Karfe.