Sunday, November 2, 2014, has come and gone but the memory of the day will continue to linger, at least, as far as jailbreak is concerned. The people of Kogi State, who had always enjoyed peaceful environment, especially, the residents of Koton Karfe, will continue to have this day indelible in their mind. They kept vigil throughout the night of the Sunday following the forceful takeover by hoodlums as they hear gunshots all over. The mobs suspected to be a terrorist group granted freedom to 144 inmates as they forcefully freed some of their members kept in the federal prisons at Koton karfe which was established in 1935 with the capacity of containing only 55 inmates.
The operation, according to residents, started a few minutes after 10pm that fateful Sunday and lasted for two hours without any challenge from any quarter of the security force like the armed prison officials, DSS and even the soldiers who were a few kilometres away from the spot.
The front window leading into the prison was completely shattered with explosives from the attackers to gain access into the prison and consequently, caused chaos within the ancient city. Residents living near the prison yard, who spoke with LEADERSHIP Sunday said the attackers numbering about 20 came to Koton karfe with two unmarked Toyota buses.
They said while some entered the prison, other members took position at strategic areas in the community, literally holding the whole community to a hostage.
As the attackers gained access into the prison, some residents around the prison said they started shouting Osama, who was allegedly put behind bars for oil bunkering. They added that the attackers used the buses to move away some of the inmates. The terrorists capitalised on the porous nature of the prison to wreak unspeakable havoc.
LEADERSHIP Sunday investigation revealed that there was a criminal called Osama in the prison yard whose matter has been in court for some time now without proper investigation by the police and which was holding him down there against the wish of his partners. It was gathered that the suspect, who was arrested in Okene for oil bunkering, was known for criminality.
Following the attack, residents of Koton karfe took to the streets calling for the relocation of the prison from the heart of the town. They asked the federal government to, as a matter of urgency, relocate the prison which has brought sorrow and tears as each time the attackers came, they were held hostage. This was the second time in less than three years that the prison and the community witnessed heavy bombardment from the insurgents. The last attack was in February 2012 where a prison warder was killed and the community was put into confusion.
The inefficiency of the federal government in taking proper action in matters that affect lives was responsible for the attack. A resident of Koton karfe said a new site for the prison which has been under construction since 1978 has not been completed, adding that the nature of Nigeria prisons will further harden criminals rather than reforming them.
The prison condition has made the governor of Kogi State, Capt Idris Wada, when he visited the place, after the criminal attack, to announce donation of mattresses to cushion the sufferings of the inmates. He equally promised a face-lift for the prison in view of its historic importance to the history of Kogi and Nigeria as a tourist centre.
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