Kogi jailbreak: FG alerts Interpol, raises special task force

The Federal Government says it has activated a special task force to recapture inmates who escaped from Kabba Correctional Centre in Kogi State on Monday.

Two soldiers were reportedly killed and many prison officials wounded during the attack in which about 240 inmates were said to have escaped.

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, said the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) had been put on notice to look out for any of the inmates who might attempt to flee the country.

Media aide to the minister, Sola Fasure, quoted Aregbesola as saying that the public should remain calm because the situation is under control.

Fasure said the minister asked residents in communities around the prison 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 at this morning,” he said.

“A crisis response centre has been activated and a special task force 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.”