At least 12 inmates have escaped from the Federal Correctional Centre in Kotonkarfe, Kogi State, in a jailbreak that occurred in the early hours of Monday.

Unlike previous incidents involving armed attacks, the escapees reportedly fled through the facility’s tower without any signs of forced entry or external intervention.

While prison officials have yet to comment on the incident, the Kogi State government has confirmed the development and is urging the Federal Government to conduct a thorough investigation.

Describing the jailbreak as “unfortunate,” the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, raised concerns over the manner of escape.

READ ALSO: Kogi NSCDC Deputy Commandant Arrested Over Alleged ₦3bn Fraud

“The theory that the inmates escaped through the tower without causing any structural damage raises serious concerns. This calls for a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the escape, arrest the fleeing inmates, and identify possible saboteurs within the system,” Fanwo said in a statement.

In response, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed the State Security Adviser to work with correctional authorities and security agencies to prevent future security breaches.

The state government also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting security agencies with logistics and other resources to enhance their operations.

Authorities have launched a manhunt for the escaped inmates, while security agencies have been commended for their swift response. Fanwo, however, urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious individuals.

“We call on the public to report any suspicious individuals in their communities. Anyone found harbouring an escaped inmate will be held accountable,” he warned.

Assuring residents of their safety, Fanwo added, “There is no cause for panic. We encourage citizens to go about their daily activities as normal, knowing that the security of lives and property remains our top priority.”

Meanwhile, investigations into the circumstances surrounding the jailbreak are ongoing as security operatives intensify efforts to track down the escapees.

Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has refuted allegations linking him to militant groups, warning against attempts to instigate unrest or economic sabotage under his name.

In a statement released on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara dismissed viral videos claiming there were explosions at oil and gas installations in the state.

He described the videos as “fake” and “malicious,” urging security agencies to track down those responsible.

READ ALSO: Jonathan Condemns Suspension Of Fubara, Says It Dents Nigeria’s Image

“Our attention has once again, been drawn to a flurry of malicious, fake, and imaginary videos of purported explosions on oil and gas facilities in Rivers State,” the statement noted.

According to Fubara, local communities where the alleged incidents were said to have taken place have already denied the claims, confirming that all critical infrastructure remains secure and fully operational.

Emphasizing his commitment to peace and security, Fubara made it clear that he has no connection to any militant group and would never support criminal activities that could threaten the stability of the state or the economy.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has no link to any militant group, does not contemplate any such association, and has no reason to encourage any criminal group or elements to undertake actions inimical to the peace of the people or the security of oil and gas facilities,” the statement affirmed.

Fubara also condemned the spread of false information online, accusing those behind the videos of attempting to create unnecessary panic.

He urged security agencies to take swift action against individuals involved in the dissemination of misleading content.

“Security agencies should take note of these fake videos designed to misinform the people and further paint the state in a bad light. Every necessary step must be taken to contain them and bring those behind them to book,” he said.

The authorities have adopted stringent measures and operational plans to restore peace at Ifon-Ilobu-Erin Osun communities and permanently stop recurrence of the communal feud.

It was revealed in a government house statement on Sunday that Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke and service commanders of the various security agencies in Osun State met and committed to the plans.

The meeting witnessed a separate closed door meeting with traditional rulers and chiefs from the affected communities with stern warnings to embrace peace or face the full wrath of the law, the statement added.

ALSO READ: NLNG Improves Nigeria’s Domestic LPG Supply Operational Efficiency

Various service commanders at the meeting discussed the presentations by the state governor and adopted several peace measures which are already under implementation.

Gov Adeleke had earlier called for decisive action to permanently resolve the conflict and proceeded to issue directives to the commanders for immediate action.

Part of the directives include immediate deployment of the joint task force with all necessary logistics for operational results, summoning of key ring leaders in the affected towns for interrogation and signing of peace undertaking, arrests and immediate prosecution of perpetrators of the violence, invoking of cybercrime act to nab those spreading old videos to cause more violence.

The Governor further threatened to suspend the traditional rulers of the affected towns if violence should resurface while those who sign peace undertakings will face the law if communal confrontation reoccur.

The state governor also used the opportunity to alert the security agencies of what he termed “other security threats” in the state arising from opposition destabilisation plots namely, plans to ignite conflicts across motor parks in the state; sponsoring of fake local government workers group; and hoodlum protest in the guise of teachers’ applicants protest among others.

While commending the security agencies for their patriotic service to the state, Gov Adeleke urged them to act on all the resolutions reached as he pledges the administration’s support for all peace moves by the service commanders.

The service commanders at the meeting pledged to implement the security measures agreed to at the meeting and assured the government and the people of the affected communities of imminent restoration and sustenance of peace in the areas.