The Nigeria Correctional Service said 12 inmates escaped from the Koton Karfe Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kogi in the early hours of Monday.

NCoS spokesman Abubakar Umar disclosed this in an interview in Abuja.

Mr Umar said that two of the escaped inmates have been recaptured, while efforts are being made to recapture the remaining 10 inmates.

The prison official assured that a comprehensive investigation had been launched to unravel the circumstances surrounding the jailbreak.

“We are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, especially to determine how the inmates managed to break out without causing structural damage.

“Unfortunately, one of our officers lost his life during the incident. We are working closely with the police and other security agencies to ensure that the escaped inmates are rearrested and brought back to custody,“ Mr Umar revealed.

The commissioner for information in Kogi, Kingsley Fanwo, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday.

“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,” Mr Fanwo said.

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

Meanwhile, Mr Fanwo disclosed that Governor Usman Ododo has called for an investigation into the jailbreak.