Police launch manhunt as 2 inmates escape from Kogi prison

Two inmates have escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in the Okene area of Kogi State.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Public Relations Officer, Jane Osuji, announced this in a statement issued on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

Osuji said the inmates escaped on Sunday, November 8, adding that efforts had commenced in collaboration with other security agencies to recapture them.

Osuji said the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, had ordered a thorough investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify any lapses.

The NCoS spokesperson assured the public that necessary measures were being taken to rearrest the fleeing inmates.

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Meanwhile, the Kogi State Police Command, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, ASP Afusat Saliu, said it received a report of the incident from the correctional centre and had commenced action to ensure prompt re-arrest of the escapees.

Saliu said the Command is collaborating with the NCoS and other relevant security agencies to trace and apprehend the fleeing inmates.

Saliu also cautioned members of the public against unconfirmed reports on the incident.

She stated: “For the avoidance of doubt, this is the first and only official statement I have made regarding this incident.

“Any information or publication attributed to me beyond this statement should be disregarded unless officially confirmed by the command.”