From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
No fewer than 129 out of the 226 Prisoners that escaped from Koto/Karfe Correctional Services on Monday have been arrested and now in the custody of prison officials.
This was disclosed by the Kogi State Deputy Governor, Chief Edward Onoja, when he paid a visit to the Koton Karfe Correctional Services for an on the spot assessment of the level of damage, following the over flooding of the river Niger that wreck havoc at the prison yard.
Chief Onoja assured of preliminary relief measures by the Kogi state Government before the Federal Government intervenes, described Koton Karfe as one of the worst hit amongst the nine flood prune Local Government Areas in the state.
The Deputy governor used the visit to appeal to people living in flood prune areas to move to higher ground, lamented the loss, revealed that steps have been taken by the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omadara (rtd), working in synergy with other security agencies to arrest all the inmates who have escaped.
Chief Onoja, commended and acknowledged the efforts of the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command and other sister security agencies, disclosed that of the 226 inmates in the facility that escaped, 129 are back to the custody of the Correctional Services while adequate plans he explained have been activated, assuring that the 97 others at large would be found and brought back under custody.
He further reiterated the seriousness the state Government attaches to in the state said since coming on board, the governor has made security of lives and property his priority.
Similarly, the Deputy governor made a stop over at the Palace of the Ohimege-Igu of Koto land, Alh Abdulrazaq Isah Koto, said the government’s responsiveness to the disaster became necessary given the time frame in which the incident occurred and underscores governments seriousness to matters of security.
He appreciated the people of Koton Karfe community for their active cooperation in helping out through the entire process that led to the arrest of some inmates.
In his remarks, the royal father said, “considering the time I received the distress call which I relayed to you, I appreciate the responsiveness given to this nature induced emergency situation,” said it is a departure from what was obtainable in the past”.
In company of the Deputy Governor, was the Deputy Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon, Ahmed Mohammed, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Kogi State Governor, Hon. Sunday Faleke amongst other Government officials
