A jailbreak occurred at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Koton Karfe, Kogi State, in the early hours of Monday, resulting in the escape of 12 inmates.

The inmates were said to have manipulated the padlocks in one section of the facility to gain freedom.

According to DCC Abubakar Umar, spokesperson of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), the Acting Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, swiftly responded to the incident by mobilizing personnel to secure the facility, restore order, and initiate a manhunt for the escapees.

As of the latest reports, five of the fleeing inmates have been recaptured, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining seven inmates and bring them to justice.

A comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escapes has been ordered, and a security audit is being conducted across all correctional facilities nationwide to prevent future occurrences.