The Controller-General of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Ja’afaru Ahmed, has announced the recapture of five escapee prisoners, confirming that 13 prisoners comprising 10 pre-trial detainees and three convicts escaped from Koton Karfe prison in Kogi State in the early hours of Saturday, July 30, 2016.

He made the confirmation while on an on-the-spot assessment of the incident at the prison. He disclosed that the escapees were recaptured with the assistance of other security agencies and local vigilante groups as well as individuals and have been returned to the prison.

“In the meantime, the Controller-General has set up a 3-man panel to carry out detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape and forward the report to his office for necessary action,” the prisons authorities said in a statement issuedon Sundayand signed by Head of Public relations at the NPS, Francis Enobore.

“He assures that appropriate measures are being put in place to address congestion phenomenon particularly among awaiting trial prisoners in line with the reform agenda of the Federal Government. The Controller General further stated that security arrangement is being strengthened in and around prison facilities across the country to forestall future occurrence,” the statement read.

•Photo shows NPS Controller-General Ja’afaru Ahmed.