By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
States neighbouring Kogi – Nasarawa, Kwara, Ekiti, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and others – are on edge over the jailbreak in Kabba where on Sunday gunmen killed soldiers at a nearby roadblock and attacked prison officers to free 240 inmates.
The states also include Benue, Enugu, Anambra, Delta, Ondo, and Niger.
Residents both in Kogi and its border states are concerned about the danger posed by escapees in this latest incident, which brings to four the number of jailbreaks in Kogi in the past nine years.
Gunmen set about 200 inmates free in 2019, another 144 in 2014, and 136 in 2012; all in federal prisons.
The Nation reports that the whereabouts of the new set of jailbreakers, some of them convicted criminals, are unknown, causing fears they may be headed to neighbouring states.
The Kogi government has raised security to red alert, seeking information on the movement of the escapees. And police in Kwara, Edo, Osun, Ekiti, and Niger have taken measures to secure the boundaries of the states.
FCT
FCT Police spokesman Frank Mba, a Commissioner of Police, told The Nation that all operational and intelligence platforms have been activated in pursuit of the escapees.
“We have experience in dealing with matters of this nature and we will dig deep into our operational experience and toolbox to make sure we get them rearrested,” he said.
“We have activated all our operational and intelligence platforms in pursuit of the escapees or the suspects and also with assistance and support from the correctional services.
“We are making all our intelligence and operational services available to the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) and we will work with the NCS as well as other patriotic citizens of this country to make sure that those suspects are rearrested as quickly as possible.
“In that vein, we are advising the suspects to give up voluntarily or face the law.”
Kwara
Police have closed the borders in Kwara to forestall infiltration of the jailbreakers, according to spokesperson Ajayi Okasanmi, who said the state command is collaborating with colleagues in Kogi to arrest the escapees and their accomplices.
“The command is combat-ready to ensure there is no spillover. That’s why all our borders between Kogi and Kwara are now closed,” he added.
Osun
Osun Police Commissioner Olawale Olokode held a meeting with the Controller of the Custodial Centre in the State Command of the NCS, Olanrewaju Amoran.
The command said officers have been put on red alert to apprehend criminals, especially those who escaped from the Kabba custodial centre.
Command spokesman Yemisi Opalola, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed that Olokode discussed with Amoran how to fortify security around the facility in the State of the Living Spring.
Edo
Edo Police Commissioner Phillip Ogbadu ordered Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and other personnel to be on the alert.
Edo Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Bello Kontongs quoted Ogbadu as saying that patrols in the 18 Edo Councils have been intensified to prevent invasion by the escapees from Kogi.
Ogbadu also directed all police officers and formations to closely monitor and check suspicious movements across the three Senatorial Districts.
He urged Edo residents to offer useful and timely information to the police about criminals in their midst, particularly the escapees, with a promise to shield informant’s identities.
Ekiti
Ekiti Police spokesman Sunday Abutu told The Nation that security has been beefed up at the boundary with Kogi, with police officers placed on alert to apprehend the fleeing inmates.
Said he: “We are working in collaboration with our counterparts in Kogi to ensure the arrest of the fleeing inmates. Our men are already in the towns that share a boundary with Kogi, Ondo, and Kwara States.
“Security at the border towns has been beefed up and surveillance intensified to prevent the inmates from seeking refuge in Ekiti.”
Niger
Niger PPRO Abiodun Wasiu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said officers and men in the Lapai axis are on patrol to ensure no prison escapee slips into the state.
He confirmed that “the command is aware of the effect this might have in the state because we share a common boundary with Kogi.
“The command has therefore taken some proactive measures and has placed its officers and patrol teams across the state on red alert and being watchful of strange faces who might be wandering around as visibility policing is reinvigorated.
“Members of the public are equally admonished to be more vigilant and be security conscious in our various communities, by informing security agencies whenever something strange is observed in their localities.”
Some residents in Lapai Council, the route to from Kogi from Niger, expressed confidence that the jailbreakers cannot find their way into Niger.
Baba Musa, a resident in Gulu, said for the escapees to be able to make it to Niger, they would have to travel in a boat that will open them up to suspicion.
“Everyone is aware of what happened in Kogi and we are all on alert and we are ready to question or report any strange face we see coming into the state through the river.
“We do not doubt that if anyone tries to come in, we will know. Those who ride the boats have also been put on alert.
“I have noticed more security presence today which means that the police are also on alert. So, we have nothing to fear,” Musa said.
Ondo
Security personnel in Ondo North Senatorial District are also on red alert, with Amotekun Corps deployed to strengthen security.
Amotekun Commander Adetunji Adeleye said his operatives, including the intelligence unit, have been alerted to the Kogi jailbreak and assured that any fleeing inmate from Kogi would be arrested and sent back.
He told The Nation that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had earlier tasked the corps to watch out for fleeing bandits and insurgents from other parts of the country.
Ondo Police spokesman Fumilayo Odunlami, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, confirmed that officers in Ondo boundary towns with Kogi are watching out, and urged the locals to report suspicious movement of persons.
History of jailbreaks in Nigeria
Below is a history of recent jailbreaks in Nigeria, compiled by The Nation and The PUNCH.
Owerri (April 5, 2021)
A group believed to be members of Eastern Security Network (ESN) attacked Owerri Prison with rocket-propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices.
About 1,844 inmates escaped.
Edo (October 19, 2020)
A group of people under the guise of ENDSARs protesters attacked prisons in Benin City and Oko freed about 1,993 inmates.
Kuje (June 24, 2016)
Two high profile inmates – Solomon Amodu and Maxwell Ajukwu – escaped through the fence of Kuje Medium Security Prison in the FCT.
There was an attempted jailbreak at the prison on August 29, 2016.
Minna (December 6, 2014)
Minna Medium Prison was attacked by three gunmen suspected to be armed robbers. One security officer was injured. About 270 prisoners escaped.
Ekiti (November 30, 2014)
An attack on the Federal Prison in Ado Ekiti led to the death of one prison officer and the escape of 341 inmates.
Lagos (October 10, 2014)
An attack on Kirikiri Medium Prison left 20 inmates dead and 80 others injured. Twelve escaped.
Ondo (June 30, 2013)
Olokuta Medium Security Prison in Akure was attacked by 50 gunmen suspected to be armed robbers. About 175 inmates fled. Two were killed, one was injured.
Ogun (January 4, 2013)
Sagamu Minimum Prison was attacked. Many prison officials were injured and 20 inmates escaped.
Bauchi (September 7, 2010)
About 50 gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram attacked Bauchi Prison, which led to the escape of about 721 inmates. Five were killed, six injured.
Kogi (September 12, 2021)
Gunmen killed soldiers at a nearby roadblock and attacked prison officers to free 240 inmates.
Kogi (October 28, 2019)
Flood from heavy rain submerged the medium federal correctional centre in Koton-Karfe and led to the escape of about 200 prisoners.
About 100 were rearrested and an unspecified number voluntarily returned.
Kogi (November 2, 2014)
Gunmen believed to be Boko Haram members attached the Federal Medium Security Prison in Koto-Karffi.
About 144 inmates escaped. One was killed.
Kogi (February 2012)
The same Koton-Karfi prison was attacked by gunmen who set 136 inmates free. But 27 were rearrested.